A man accused of taking part in the war crime of destroying religious monuments, during civil strife in Mali, has arrived in The Hague to stand trial at the International Criminal Court.

Ahmad al-Mahdi al-Faqi is charged with the destruction of nine mausoleums and a mosque in Timbuktu in 2012.

In a statement released on Saturday, the ICC said it was the first case to be brought before the court "concerning the destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments".

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has called for coordination in the fight against the Islamic State, while reiterating his support for Syria's beleaguered president, Bashar al-Assad.

In an interview with the US TV station CBS, Mr Putin said Syria's troops were "the only legitimate conventional army there". He said that they were fighting terrorist organisations and Russia "would be pleased to find common ground for joint action against the terrorists".

“I am alarmed by news that the de facto authorities in eastern Ukraine have ordered UN agencies in Luhansk to end operations and to leave the area by tomorrow, 25 September,” said Mr O’Brien in a statement.

China’s president Xi Jinping landed in the US on Tuesday to commence a week-long US visit that will include meetings with SU business leaders, reports Reuters.

Mr Jinping is expected to meet US government and business leaders to seek bi-lateral agreements and improve relations between the two economies.

The UK will guarantee a £2bn deal with China, which will see investment in the Hinkley nuclear power plant and the possible construction of further reactors.

Chancellor George Osborne made the announcement during his visit to China and said the deal would pave the way for a final investment decision on the delayed project by French energy company EDF.