Libya warns against foreign pressure in HIV case

Libya warned foreign governments on Sunday against trying to force the release of five nurses sentenced to death for infecting hundreds of Libyan children with
HIV, saying talks to find a mutual solution were under way.

U.S. President George Bush reiterated his unwavering support for the release of the Bulgarian medics, held in a Libyan jail since 1999, and said in an interview aired on Friday that he hoped they would be released soon.

"We were hoping that President Bush would state his sympathy for the disaster of those children and the suffering of their families, which has gone on for many years," the Libyan foreign ministry said in a statement carried by state news agency JANA.

"There are contacts and negotiations to find a solution satisfactory to all parties," it said. "No one has the right to intervene in the affairs of the Libyan judicial system and we affirm the respect of the independence of our judicial system."

The European Union and United States have stepped up pressure to resolve the dispute and signs are growing that a deal could come soon. On Friday a spokesman for the children's families said a settlement could be reached by June 21.

The nurses and a Palestinian doctor were convicted in December of deliberately infecting 426 children with HIV in a highly politicised trial that has hampered attempts by OPEC-member Libya to restore full relations with the West.

The nurses say they are innocent and were tortured to make them confess. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has suggested they infected the children under the orders of unnamed foreign governments.

Some Western scientists say negligence and poor hospital hygiene are the real culprits and the six are scapegoats.

Libya has repeatedly warned foreign governments not to try to influence its judiciary, while suggesting it might free the nurses if an agreement is reached to pay compensation to the children's families.