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PRAIA DA LUZ, Portugal, - The mother of missing four-year-old Madeleine McCann has left a police station in Portugal early after being interviewed for 11 hours, a lawyer for the family said.
"Kate was heard as a witness. The investigation will continue," lawyer Carlos Pinto de Abreu told journalists outside the police station before ushering Kate McCann into a car early on Friday morning local time.
Since their daughter's disappearance on May 3, Kate McCann and her husband Gerry had always met police together. On Thursday, Kate went alone and Gerry was expected to be interviewed separately on Friday.
The fact that Kate McCann was interviewed as a witness was a sign that she was not under suspicion. So far police have only identified one suspect in the case.
Kate McCann was asked to go to the police station after authorities received forensic evidence recovered from the holiday apartment in the Algarve where Madeleine vanished on May 3.
Police spokesman Olegario de Sousa said on Thursday his team had been satisfied with the results of the forensic evidence returned by the Forensic Science Service in Birmingham.
"I can confirm that we have received part of the results and the team is satisfied (with the results)," de Sousa said.
Local newspapers have reported that the results included a sample of a speck of blood found on the wall of the McCann's apartment.
A Briton living in Praia da Luz has been identified by police as the only suspect in the investigation and his house has been searched twice.
Madeleine's parents have campaigned relentlessly to draw attention to the case. Their efforts led to a meeting with Pope Benedict in Rome who blessed a picture of Madeleine a few weeks after the disappearance.
British business tycoons and celebrities ranging from "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling to soccer stars have contributed to a reward for her return.
- REUTERS
