Arabic Media

Novmeber 12, 2007

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Chad Releases 4 Europeans Implicated in “Orphans” Scandal

• News out of Chad indicated that 4 Europeans, including 3 Spanish plane crew and a Belgian pilot, were released from jail because they were found not guilty of involvement in kidnapping scandal
• 6 French Arche de Zoe members remain in jail and face up to 20 years if convicted of wrongdoing in the attempt to “kidnap” over 100 children from Chad and Darfur
• Humanitarian organizations active in Sudan and Chad strongly condemned the French organization and its actions

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Sudan Criticizes Chad’s Release of Suspects Implicated in Children Scandal

• Sudanese Minister of Justice Mohamed Ali Al Mardhi criticized Chad’s decision to release European suspects and questioned Chad’s motives
• The minister indicated that Sudan would continue to consider the failed operation a crime and would actively seek the Interpol’s help in apprehending the suspects and put them on trial in Sudan

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Missing Refugees after Attempt to Burn Down Refugee Camp in Darfur

• An armed group burned down two tents in Kalima refugee camp in South Darfur which resulted in 9 people being missing according to camp leaders
• Ashurtai Mohamed, camp leader, said that refugees’ eleders handed UN and AU representatives a memo regarding the humanitarian conditions in the camps and urged humanitarian aid to the refugees

Source: Al Ahram (government-friendly, Egyptian daily with over 1 million in circulation)
Headline: Mubarak and Al Bashir Discuss African Issues and Situation in Darfur

• Egyptian and Sudanese leaders discussed the situation in Sudan and in particular in Darfur and efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully
• The two leaders also discussed Darfur hybrid force deployment, implementation of Abuja agreement, and efforts to convince Darfur rebels to join peace efforts
• Meeting with Egyptian leader comes amid efforts by the Sudanese president to inform influential African leaders about the situation in the country and seek their assistance and guidance in resolving some of Sudan’s crises

Read the above in Arabic.