Pete Doherty (right) spent time in a monastery in Thailand

Doherty, 24, of east London, will return to Thames magistrates' court for a preliminary hearing on 10 August.

A statement from the band said they would continue without the singer for the foreseeable future.

"When he cleans up his addictions he will be immediately welcomed back into the band," the statement read.

The band said they had come to the decision, "due to his (Doherty's) well-known addiction problems, specifically with crack cocaine and heroin".

Troubled

Band member Carl Barat said: "Peter's erratic mental state worries us greatly and having him on tour would only compound his problems. We aim to complete all existing tour commitments without him."

Doherty was arrested two weeks ago - the alleged incident occurred on Hackney Road in London.

The Libertines recently cancelled appearances at two summer festivals because Doherty was ill.

The band did not appear at the recent Isle Of Wight festival or Glastonbury. A show at London's Meltdown event was also axed.

The singer spent time recuperating at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand.

The Libertines are still due to play at Glasgow's T in the Park on 10 July. The gig will be followed by the Oxygen Festival in Dublin on 11 July, and the Reading and Leeds Festivals on 28 and 29 August.