Muslim Peers to meet Sudan president

Two Muslim peers are expected to meet the man who could approve the release of British teacher Gillian Gibbons in Sudan.

Labour peer Lord Ahmed and Conservative peer Baroness Warsi are set to hold talks with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to press their case for Mrs Gibbons to be pardoned.

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

The two peers have held meetings with Sudanese government officials, including the foreign minister, to try to resolve the situation.

But a meeting with President Bashir could prove to be the breakthrough needed to secure Mrs Gibbons' release.

Mrs Gibbons' chief defence lawyer has said he expected her to be pardoned following the peers' visit.

Kamal al-Gizouli said only the Sudanese president had the power to lift Mrs Gibbons' sentence.

On Saturday night, a statement from Mrs Gibbons - her first public comment since her arrest - said she was safe and well.

And while she expressed gratitude to all those who have been working to secure her release, the teacher added she would be sad to leave Sudan.

The statement, which was obtained by Channel 4 News from Mrs Gibbons' legal team, said: "I'm fine, I'm well, I'm very grateful to all the people working on my behalf. I know so many people out there have done so much."