Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir has left South Africa and is returning to his nation’s capital, Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said.

"The president finished his business in South Africa and is coming back home,” Osman said by phone from Khartoum.

Earlier, a South African High Court judge ordered the government to prevent al-Bashir from leaving the country until he decides whether to order the government to arrest him on war-crimes charges. The case was scheduled to resume Monday in Pretoria, the capital.

Al-Bashir arrived in South Africa to attend an African Union summit in Johannesburg on June 13. The International Criminal Court has indicted him for alleged atrocities in the Darfur region.

"Al-Bashir went to South Africa with complete guarantees that it will respect the African position regarding the ICC,” Osman said.

Clayson Monyela, a spokesman for South Africa’s Department of International Relations, didn’t respond to telephone calls or messages seeking comment.

Agencies