An official in Chad says that President Omar al-Bashir has arrived in the country, the first time Sudan's leader has been in a member state of the International Criminal Court.

Bashir faces charges of crimes against humanity and genocide for atrocities committed in Darfur.

The international court issued the genocide charges last week.

Al-Bashir arrived in Chad on Wednesday to take part in a summit of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.

An official in Chad's presidential office confirmed the arrival but spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press.

Human Rights Watch said that Chad should arrest al-Bashir or risk becoming the first ICC member state to harbor a suspected war criminal.