Paris - A French employee of a relief agency was murdered in Chad, the Foreign Ministry said in Paris Thursday.

Pascal Marlinge, who worked for a humanitarian organization was killed in an "awful manner" while caring for refugees in Farchana, in eastern Chad, the statement said.

Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner described the act as "barbaric" and demanded Chadian authorities carry out a full investigation.

He also offered his condolences to Marlinge's relatives.

Eastern Chad borders the crises-ridden Sudanese region of Darfur where hundred thousands of people are on the run. (dpa)