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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Seven freed Europeans leave Chad | Seven freed Europeans leave Chad |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Seven Europeans released by Chadian authorities have left the central African country on board a plane along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. | Seven Europeans released by Chadian authorities have left the central African country on board a plane along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| The seven are four Spanish air hostesses and three French journalists. | The seven are four Spanish air hostesses and three French journalists. |
| They were among 17 Europeans held over an alleged attempt to take 103 African children out of the country. | They were among 17 Europeans held over an alleged attempt to take 103 African children out of the country. |
| Six of those still in custody are from French charity Zoe's Ark, which says the children are Darfuri orphans - a claim questioned by aid agencies. | Six of those still in custody are from French charity Zoe's Ark, which says the children are Darfuri orphans - a claim questioned by aid agencies. |
| Three other members of the Spanish air crew are still in custody along with a Belgian pilot. | Three other members of the Spanish air crew are still in custody along with a Belgian pilot. |
| Diplomatic efforts | Diplomatic efforts |
| Mr Sarkozy visited Chad on Sunday to discuss the case with his counterpart, Idriss Deby, in the capital N'Djamena. Sunday's release was announced shortly after his arrival. | Mr Sarkozy visited Chad on Sunday to discuss the case with his counterpart, Idriss Deby, in the capital N'Djamena. Sunday's release was announced shortly after his arrival. |
| The French president has criticised Zoe's Ark, saying last week that Paris condemned their activities. | |
| But, speaking in N'Djamena, he said that he had urged Mr Deby to respect the right to presumption of innocence for those still in custody. | But, speaking in N'Djamena, he said that he had urged Mr Deby to respect the right to presumption of innocence for those still in custody. |
| Mr Sarkozy said he had confidence in Chadian justice and that the two countries would work together to resolve the case. | Mr Sarkozy said he had confidence in Chadian justice and that the two countries would work together to resolve the case. |
| The incident has come at a sensitive time as a French-led European peacekeeping force is due to be deployed in eastern Chad, to prevent the conflict in neighbouring Darfur from spilling over the border. | The incident has come at a sensitive time as a French-led European peacekeeping force is due to be deployed in eastern Chad, to prevent the conflict in neighbouring Darfur from spilling over the border. |
| French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defence Minister Herve Morin to launch an investigation into the affair. | French Prime Minister Francois Fillon has asked Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and Defence Minister Herve Morin to launch an investigation into the affair. |