Burkina cancels arrest warrant for Ivory Coast parliament speaker

Burkina Faso cancelled an international arrest warrant for Ivory Coast's former prime minister Guillaume Soro on Monday, the latest twist in a saga which has tainted diplomatic relations between the countries for months.

Ouaga-dougou wanted to bring in Soro, who is currently parliament speaker in neighbouring Ivory Coast, over his alleged role in a short-lived coup in Burkina last year.

But on Monday military prosecutor Commander Alioune Zanre announced that Burkina would be handing over responsibility for the matter to the Ivory Coast.

Zanre said Interpol had refused to assist with the extradition of Soro because the crime was linked to political offences and he may be tried in a military court.