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HIV medics released to Bulgaria HIV medics released to Bulgaria
(about 4 hours later)
Six Bulgarian medics who were serving life sentences in Libya have arrived in Bulgaria following their release, ending their eight-year incarceration.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.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.
An EU official told the BBC the release had been made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties. The release was made possible by a deal struck in Tripoli on improving Libya-EU ties, following years of negotiations.
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 EU's External Affairs Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, made many trips to Libya, meeting the prisoners and working to improve conditions for children infected 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 medics 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 Georgi ParvanovBulgarian President Profiles: The medics class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6971&edition=1">Send us your comments
Ms Ferrero-Waldner and Cecilia Sarkozy, the wife of France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, accompanied the Bulgarians home. She described the medics' release as "a humanitarian decision", adding that it marked "a new page in the history of relations between the EU and Libya".
On their arrival aboard a French government plane at Sofia airport the medics were greeted on the tarmac by tearful relatives and well-wishers. French President Nicolas Sarkozy - whose wife, Cecilia, also played a role in securing their freedom - said he would travel to Libya on Wednesday for talks, which he said would focus on helping Libya re-join the international community.
Ms Ferrero-Waldner described their release as "a humanitarian decision", adding that it marked "a new page in the history of relations between the EU and Libya". At a news conference in Paris, Mr Sarkozy said that neither France nor the EU had made the "smallest financial contribution to Libya" as part of any deal.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he would visit Libya on Wednesday to help the country "rejoin the international community". Last week, the six had death sentences commuted to life in prison by Libya's top legal body.
At a news conference in Paris, he said no money had exchanged hands to secure the release of the medics. The High Judicial Council ruling came after the families of the 438 children agreed a compensation deal reportedly worth $1m (£500,000) per child.
"Neither Europe nor France has made the smallest financial contribution to Libya," he said. An EU official told the BBC that the payout was made from the Gaddafi Foundation, a charity overseen by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's son, Seif al-Islam.
EU spokeswoman Christina Mueschen said the EU had not contributed to this fund, but had donated to the Benghazi International Fund - along with other charitable organisations - which supports the hospital and treatment of the infected children.
However, Libya's Foreign Minister Abdel Rahman Shalgham said both the EU and France had contributed to the fund, covering the sum needed "and more on top".
Archaeological helpArchaeological help
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the European Union could now begin to normalise trade and political ties with Libya. On their arrival aboard a French government plane at Sofia airport, the medics were greeted on the tarmac by tearful relatives and well-wishers.
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. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU could now begin to normalise trade and political ties with Libya.
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. The deal follows years of efforts by Ms Ferrero-WaldnerAccording 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.
It also included measures to improve the medical care of the children infected 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.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.
Earlier, Mr Sarkozy and Mr Barroso welcomed the agreement, paying tribute to Ms Ferrero-Waldner and the mediation of the emir of Qatar.Earlier, Mr Sarkozy and Mr Barroso welcomed the agreement, paying tribute to Ms Ferrero-Waldner and the mediation of the emir of Qatar.
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.
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.
The imprisonment of the medics caused an international outcryBulgaria's President Parvanov said he was satisfied with their release.The imprisonment of the medics caused an international outcryBulgaria's President Parvanov said he was satisfied with their release.
"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 the 438 children with HIV-tainted blood. Fifty-six of the 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 EU and the United States say Libya has used the case to deflect criticism from its run-down health service.