Updated

President Goodluck Jonathan says Nigeria will not withdraw from the International Criminal Court, but it wants reforms including the deferment of cases against sitting heads of state.

A statement says Jonathan gave the assurance to ICC President Sang-hyun Song on Tuesday in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.

Jonathan asked for "urgent action" to address the concerns of African leaders about the court.

The 53-state African Union has asked the ICC to postpone for a year the trial of Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta following the deadly terrorist attack in Nairobi in September, arguing his leadership is needed to ensure stability. Kenyatta is accused of crimes against humanity in violence that killed more 1,000 people following 2007 elections.

Nigeria in July hosted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who also is wanted by the court.