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London: Madeleine McCann's parents said yesterday they believe she is safe as they vowed to stay in Portugal until she is found.
The four-year-old's father Gerry said: "Until there is concrete evidence to the contrary, we believe Madeleine is safe and being looked after."
Clutching one of the girl's toys, his wife Kate said: "We cannot even consider returning home at the moment - absolutely cannot let it into my head."
It was the first time in a week the couple, both 38, have agreed to answer questions from the media. Their statement comes amid speculation that Portuguese police have made little or no progress since the girl's disappearance from a Mark Warner resort in Praia da Luz on 3 May.
Asked how he and his wife were coping, McCann said: "It is extremely difficult. We have had excellent help from trauma consultants that has enabled us to use certain tools to help us look forward and channel our emotions. It has helped us direct emotions that are negative and channel everything into looking forward."
Tremendous comfort
Holding his wife's hand as he spoke, he said the couple had taken "tremendous comfort" from public support both in Portugal and the UK, adding: "You have seen our family and close friends both here and back home doing everything they can to keep the profile of the case high.
"We have taken advice and been told that that is very important for the case. We hope people can take the despair they have felt and channel it into positive action. We have said we must look forward and turn hope into action.
"We have taken tremendous strength from the warmth and support we have received here and in the UK that has given us great encouragement that we will find Madeleine safe and well."
McCann said he was now being helped by two British lawyers from the Family Law Centre on how best to use money pledged to help find Madeleine and give assistance in Portuguese legal processes.
He said: "We have felt a burden lifted from our shoulders. It is one less thing to think about. It has allowed us to concentrate more on our own physical and mental wellbeing."
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