Khalil Ibrahim in Darfur

JEM leader returns after spending nearly eight months in Libya

Dr Khalil Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), arrived in Darfur on Saturday from Libya, where he had been taking refuge since May 2010.The leader had been held in Tripoli, which recently witnessed the fall of Muammar Gadhafi’s 42-year regime after the Libyan rebels stormed the Gadhafi stronghold.

The leader met with the movement’s soldiers and people in the Darfuri areas under JEM control.

In a statement released by the JEM on Saturday, the leader thanked all the resistance forces of Sudan, leaders of political groups, civil society organizations and the men of the civil departments who have expressed solidarity and sympathy with the movement’s leadership.

Dr Ibrahim had to go to Libya in mid-2010 after he was denied entry by Chad, which acts as a major base for the movement’s underground activities.

Radio Dabanga had reported about the increased patrolling around the Libyan borders by government forces after rumours about Dr Khalil Ibrahim’s return started surfacing.