"President Al Bashir has confirmed to me that his government is fully committed to do everything it can to ensure Mr Lefèvre's safety, and to secure his speedy release," Mr Kellenberger said after the meeting. He added his thanks for efforts undertaken by the Sudanese government to secure the release of ICRC delegate Laurent Maurice, freed last Saturday after 89 days in captivity.

The ICRC has restricted its movements and reduced its field presence in eastern Chad and Darfur since the kidnappings. It is nevertheless maintaining its support for primary health-care centres as well as essential services that no one else can provide, such as the work it carries out in Gereida Camp, South Darfur, in one of the biggest camps for internally displaced people (IDPs).