The Hill News

President Obama on Thursday lauded Serbian authorities for the arrest of Ratko Mladic on charges that he ordered the murder of some 8,000 Bosnian Muslims in 1995.

Obama praised the Serbian government and forces who arrested Mladic and said he looks forward to the former Bosnian Serb general’s "expeditious transfer" to the United Nations’ war crimes tribunal at The Hague.

{mosads}"Fifteen years ago, Ratko Mladic ordered the systematic execution of some 8,000 unarmed men and boys in Srebrenica," Obama said in a statement. "Today, he is behind bars."

The president said Mladic's arrest marks "an important day for the families of Mladic’s many victims, for Serbia, for Bosnia, for the United States and for international justice." 

"While we will never be able to bring back those who were murdered, Mladic will now have to answer to his victims, and the world, in a court of law," Obama said.

Obama noted U.S. forces an! d diplomats "led the international effort to end ethnic cleansing and bring a lasting peace."

"On this important day, we recommit ourselves to supporting ongoing reconciliation efforts in the Balkans and to working to prevent future atrocities," Obama said. "Those who have committed crimes against humanity and genocide will not escape judgment."