Issa Maraut, France's newly appointed special envoy for Darfur, is in Doha to follow the Qatar initiative to establish peace in Darfur

DARFUR/FRANCE: SPECIAL ENVOY APPOINTED
November 26, 2008 EL FASHER (DARFUR), Sudan/APO) -
French ministry of Foreign Affairs Daily Press Briefing,

Taken questions

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Q - It seems the Quai d’Orsay has appointed a diplomat to follow the Darfur dossier. What is his exact mission and is his appointment connected with the Arab League initiative that originated in Qatar?

We appointed a special envoy to follow the Darfur crisis: Issa Maraut, an experienced diplomat who knows the area very well. He was appointed a few weeks ago, is posted in Sudan and speaks Arabic. He’s currently in Doha to follow the Qatar initiative to establish peace in Darfur.

France supports this initiative.