The Libertines off the road for the foreseeable future

Libertines frontman Carl Barât has told NME that the band will retire from touring at the end of the year. The group has been on the road in support of their eponymous sophomore album [review] without troubled co-frontman Pete Doherty since the summer. Carl told the publication:

"As of the end of December Gary, John and I have decided The Libertines will be off the road for the foreseeable future, no more official gigs are booked. An ongoing problem with my health, which requires an operation, will put me out of action for maybe some months...

My position with Pete hasn't changed, I hope he gets better, I still love him and hope he will come back in full health and take the world with The Libertines and put the Albion back on-course. Joining the old crew on the good ship wouldn't be so hard."

Which essentially means that the band is calling it quits unless Doherty cleans up his act and returns. While Doherty is currently touring the UK with his side-project Babyshambles he has expressed desire for a reunion in recent interviews. There's no word yet on what Barat's current ailment is.

In the meantime there is some new media from the band on the way this fall. The video for "What Became Of The Likely Lads" is online now and be downloaded from the band's website. Also, The Libertines' recent record is being reissued in the UK on November 15th by Rough Trade Records along with a DVD titled Boys In The Band. It features over sixty minutes of live footage from shows in London, Spain and Japan, interviews and promotional videos. It was directed by Gina Birch and is expected to hit stores on this side of the pond in January.