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Libya protests at medic pardons Libya protests at medic pardons
(about 1 hour later)
Libya has formally protested against Bulgaria's decision to pardon six medical workers released from life imprisonment in the Arab nation.Libya has formally protested against Bulgaria's decision to pardon six medical workers released from life imprisonment in the Arab nation.
Libya's foreign ministry said the pardons violated the extradition deal agreed as a condition of their release.Libya's foreign ministry said the pardons violated the extradition deal agreed as a condition of their release.
Bulgaria has dismissed the complaint, saying the pardons were legal and that Bulgaria respected Libyan laws.Bulgaria has dismissed the complaint, saying the pardons were legal and that Bulgaria respected Libyan laws.
Libya had sentenced the six medics to death for infecting 438 children with HIV, the virus that causes Aids.Libya had sentenced the six medics to death for infecting 438 children with HIV, the virus that causes Aids.
All six had always denied the charges and were pardoned on their arrival in Bulgaria by President Georgi Parvanov.All six had always denied the charges and were pardoned on their arrival in Bulgaria by President Georgi Parvanov.
Libya is reacting under existing pressure from the families of the infected children ... Bulgaria's decision [to pardon the medics] is motivated and fair Sergei StanishevBulgarian Prime MinisterLibya is reacting under existing pressure from the families of the infected children ... Bulgaria's decision [to pardon the medics] is motivated and fair Sergei StanishevBulgarian Prime Minister
On Wednesday, families of the infected children had reacted angrily to the pardons, calling on Libya's government to cut ties.On Wednesday, families of the infected children had reacted angrily to the pardons, calling on Libya's government to cut ties.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said his country would reply on Thursday to Libya's protest, in which it accused Bulgaria of not complying with a 1984 extradition treaty.Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said his country would reply on Thursday to Libya's protest, in which it accused Bulgaria of not complying with a 1984 extradition treaty.
But he insisted that the protest was due to "pressure from the families of the infected children", according to state news agency BTA.But he insisted that the protest was due to "pressure from the families of the infected children", according to state news agency BTA.
"Bulgaria's decision [to pardon the medics] is motivated and fair," he said."Bulgaria's decision [to pardon the medics] is motivated and fair," he said.
'Ready to forgive''Ready to forgive'
Earlier on Thursday, some of the Bulgarian medics released by Libya said they could forgive their "torturers", but would testify if their former captors were prosecuted. Earlier, some of the Bulgarian medics released by Libya said they could forgive their "torturers", but would testify if their former captors were prosecuted.
The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor had always maintained they were innocent.The five nurses and a Palestinian-born doctor had always maintained they were innocent.
Medical experts say the outbreak was probably caused by poor sanitation.Medical experts say the outbreak was probably caused by poor sanitation.
More than 50 of the 438 children infected during the hospital outbreak in the 1990s have since died.More than 50 of the 438 children infected during the hospital outbreak in the 1990s have since died.
Nuclear 'rights'Nuclear 'rights'
Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said Western nations should trust Arab states to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.Meanwhile, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said Western nations should trust Arab states to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Speaking in Libya's capital, Tripoli, Mr Sarkozy said that a belief that the Arab world was not sensible enough to use civilian nuclear power would risk a "war of civilisations".Speaking in Libya's capital, Tripoli, Mr Sarkozy said that a belief that the Arab world was not sensible enough to use civilian nuclear power would risk a "war of civilisations".
"If we don't give the energy of the future to the countries of the southern Mediterranean, how will they develop themselves? And if they don't develop, how will we fight terrorism and fanaticism?" he said."If we don't give the energy of the future to the countries of the southern Mediterranean, how will they develop themselves? And if they don't develop, how will we fight terrorism and fanaticism?" he said.
On Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy announced that France would help Libya develop a nuclear reactor.On Wednesday, Mr Sarkozy announced that France would help Libya develop a nuclear reactor.