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HIV medics released to Bulgaria HIV medics released to Bulgaria
(about 1 hour later)
Six Bulgarian medics who were serving life sentences in Libya have arrived in Bulgaria following their release. Six Bulgarian medics who were serving life sentences in Libya have arrived in Bulgaria following their release, ending their eight-year incarceration.
They were immediately pardoned by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.
The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor were convicted of deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV - charges they have always denied.The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor were convicted of deliberately infecting Libyan children with HIV - charges they have always denied.
The release follows years of diplomacy by EU officials and two trips to Libya by the new French president's wife.
An EU official told the BBC the release had been made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties.An EU official told the BBC the release had been made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties.
It comes after years of efforts by the European Commission, with the EU's external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, making numerous trips to Libya, meeting the prisoners and working to improve the conditions for hundreds of children with HIV/Aids.It comes after years of efforts by the European Commission, with the EU's external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, making numerous trips to Libya, meeting the prisoners and working to improve the conditions for hundreds of children with HIV/Aids.
The dramatic case with the sentenced innocent Bulgarian citizens is at its end. We are still sympathetic with the other tragedy - the one of the infected Libyan children and their families Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov Profiles: The medicsThe dramatic case with the sentenced innocent Bulgarian citizens is at its end. We are still sympathetic with the other tragedy - the one of the infected Libyan children and their families Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov Profiles: The medics
Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Cecilia Sarkozy, the wife of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied the Bulgarians home to the capital, Sofia. Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Cecilia Sarkozy, the wife of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied the Bulgarians home.
Speaking on arrival, Mrs Ferrero-Waldner described the medics' release as "a humanitarian decision" and the "right decision". On their arrival aboard a French government plane at Sofia airport the medics were greeted on the tarmac by tearful relatives and well-wishers.
Mrs Ferrero-Waldner said she was "filled with joy" and described their release as "a humanitarian decision" and "the right decision".
She told the BBC it marked "a new page in the history of relations between the EU and Libya".She told the BBC it marked "a new page in the history of relations between the EU and Libya".
Earlier, European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed the agreement. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would make a "political visit" to Libya on Wednesday to help the country "rejoin the international community".
They paid tribute to the work of Ms Ferrero-Waldner, saying it would not have been possible without her determination, as well as the mediation of the emir of Qatar. Earlier, Mr Sarkozy and European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso welcomed the agreement, paying tribute to Ms Ferrero-Waldner, and the mediation of the emir of Qatar.
Archaeological helpArchaeological help
According to EU officials the key to the agreement has been a memorandum signed in Tripoli by Ms Ferrero-Waldner, which would lead to the full normalisation of EU relations with Libya.According to EU officials the key to the agreement has been a memorandum signed in Tripoli by Ms Ferrero-Waldner, which would lead to the full normalisation of EU relations with Libya.
The BBC's Oana Lungescu says it includes a pledge to open the European market to Libyan farm and fishery produce, technical assistance for the restoration of archaeological monuments and EU grants for Libyan students. The deal follows years of efforts by Ms Ferrero-WaldnerThe BBC's Oana Lungescu says it includes a pledge to open the European market to Libyan farm and fishery produce, technical assistance for the restoration of archaeological monuments and EU grants for Libyan students.
It also included measures to improve the care of children with HIV/Aids in Libya, the French presidential palace said. It also included measures to improve the medical care of the children infected with HIV/Aids in Libya, the French presidential palace said.
Libya said it had ordered the release of the medical workers after it was satisfied that the conditions for extradition had been met.
"The matter has been settled. We received guarantees for the normalisation of relations with European countries and for a partnership agreement with the EU," a Libyan official told the AFP news agency.
Last week, the six had death sentences commuted to life in prison by Libya's top legal body.Last week, the six had death sentences commuted to life in prison by Libya's top legal body.
The High Judicial Council ruling came after the families of the 438 children agreed a compensation deal reportedly worth $1m (£500,000) per child.The High Judicial Council ruling came after the families of the 438 children agreed a compensation deal reportedly worth $1m (£500,000) per child.
Transfer dealTransfer deal
Bulgaria had officially asked Libya to repatriate the medics so they could serve out their sentences in Bulgaria.Bulgaria had officially asked Libya to repatriate the medics so they could serve out their sentences in Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's President Georgi Parvanov said he was satisfied with the release of the medics. Bulgaria's President Parvanov said he was satisfied with their release.
The deal follows years of patient efforts by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner"The dramatic case with the sentenced innocent Bulgarian citizens is at its end. We are still sympathetic with the other tragedy - the one of the infected Libyan children and their families," he said. "The dramatic case with the sentenced innocent Bulgarian citizens is at its end. We are still sympathetic with the other tragedy - the one of the infected Libyan children and their families," he said.
The Palestinian doctor was granted Bulgarian citizenship last month to allow him to benefit from any transfer deal.The Palestinian doctor was granted Bulgarian citizenship last month to allow him to benefit from any transfer deal.
The medics were convicted of deliberately injecting 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six children have since died.The medics were convicted of deliberately injecting 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six children have since died.
The six, who have been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.The six, who have been in prison since 1999, say they were tortured to confess.
Foreign experts say the infections started before the medics arrived at the hospital, and are more likely to have been a result of poor hygiene.Foreign experts say the infections started before the medics arrived at the hospital, and are more likely to have been a result of poor hygiene.
Bulgaria, its allies in the European Union, and the United States say Libya has used the case to deflect criticism from its run-down health service.Bulgaria, its allies in the European Union, and the United States say Libya has used the case to deflect criticism from its run-down health service.