(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-03 17:03

Swords and flags

Hundreds took to the streets of the capital on Friday, many waving swords and Islamic flags, calling for her death.

"Retracting this light sentence ... would wound the sensibilities of the Muslims in Sudan," Council Spokesman al-Sheikh Mohammad Abdel Karim said.

"This is not a matter to be settled politically. This is a matter which goes to the very core of Muslims and their sensibilities."

The British embassy has heightened security, especially following Friday's protests.

But many ordinary Sudanese said they thought it was an innocent mistake which could be forgiven after an apology.

Marsden, who saw Gibbons on Sunday, said she was in high spirits. Her lawyer said Gibbons was being held in a private and clean environment at an undisclosed secure location.

Lawyers had initially said they expected her to be taken to Omdurman women's prison, a run-down and overcrowded place.

"It is clean, well-guarded ... and she came to me smiling if a little bit sad," Kamal al-Jazouli said.

"She said she was sad because she never imagined her stay in Sudan would end up like this."

"She loved her pupils very much and they loved her. She said she would miss them when she goes outside Sudan."

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