UK calls on Chad to arrest Sudanese President

UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mark Simmonds on Saturday called on the Government of Chad to meet its international obligations and arrest Sudanese President Omar Hassan Bashir. President Bashir is reportedly visiting Chad this weekend to attend the Community of Sahel-Saharan (CEN-SAD) Summit. "If President Bashir is not arrested, this will be the third time the Government of Chad has failed to implement warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office quoted in a statement Simmonds as saying. "Chad has committed itself to full cooperation with the ICC, and I reiterate the importance that the British government places on such commitments. The UK expects Chad to stand by its obligations and will be disappointed if it does not do so," he pointed out. "We expect all States Parties to the ICC to comply with their obligations and, indeed, all states should cooperate with ICC investigations as set out in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions," the minister added. (end) mrn.gb KUNA 170033 Feb 13NNNN