Peers to meet Sudanese president

Updated 23.29 Sun Dec 02 2007

Keywords: Sudan, Gillian Gibbons

Two Muslim peers are to meet with the Sudanese president to discuss jailed British teacher Gillian Gibbons.

Presidential aide, Mahzoub Faidul said the meeting would take place at 10.30am on Monday.

Mrs Gibbons is currently serving a 15-day sentence for insulting Islam after allowing her class of seven-year-olds to name a teddy bear Mohammed

He said: "The (Sudanese) president will meet the British delegation at 10:30 (on Monday morning) at the presidential palace. He will discuss the case and a possible pardon."

Baroness Warsi and Lord Ahmed are lobbying for the early release of Mrs Gibbons, who was jailed for 15 days by a Sudanese court on Thursday for inciting Islam after allowing her class of seven-year-olds to name a teddy bear Mohammed.

They have held a number of meetings with Sudanese Government officials, including the foreign minister in the last two days, and earlier announced they were to delay their return to Britain.

The Foreign Office said British Embassy staff spent an hour and a half with Mrs Gibbons.

The teacher has released a statement saying she has been "well treated" during her incarceration.

Mrs Gibbons, 54, is currently being held at a secret location in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, amid fears for her safety.