Gaddafi's son says medics will not be executed

SOFIA, Jan 29 (Reuters) Libya will not execute five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor sentenced to death last month, the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said in a newspaper interview, calling their verdicts ''unfair''.

Speaking to Bulgarian daily 24 Chasa, Saif al-Islam said a solution would be found soon to save the medical staff and satisfy families of the infected children, but he gave no details.

A Libyan court has sentenced the nurses and the doctor for intentionally infecting hundreds of children with the HIV virus in a highly politicised case which started eight years ago.

''There will be no executions,'' said Gaddafi's son and his most influential envoy. ''I hope there will be a happy-end soon ... My father is also against the executions.'' Saif al-Islam runs an influential charitable foundation which has played a key part in negotiating with Western countries over compensation for bombings in which Libya was implicated.

Bulgarian deputy Foreign Minister Haim Chaushev said al-Islam's statement could be a sign of progress in negotiations.

''I am inclined to see a positive signal in these assurances,'' he told Reuters.

Sofia and its allies say overwhelming scientific evidence backs the medical staff's claims that they are innocent. But Tripoli has remained defiant in the face of international pressure, saying it should not interfere with its courts.

Renowned AIDS experts have testified the HIV-epidemic started long before the six arrived in the country.

''The case went in the wrong direction from the very beginning.

There were many manipulations in the original files, many errors ...

This is why we should seek a compromise,'' Saif al-Islam said, adding Tripoli has already discussed a plan with Germany and France.

Experts say the six may escape the firing squad with a government-led body having the final word on their fate.

COMPENSATION Saif al-Islam reiterated that although the outbreak was due to negligence and not conspiracy, Bulgaria, Libya and the European Union should meet the demands of the families and help the medical treatment of the children.

''We are speaking about securing serious indemnity for the families,'' he said. ''The Bulgarian government and the European Union should understand our demands.'' The families have demanded 10 million euros ( million) per child in compensation from Bulgaria which, under Islamic law, would allow the victims' families to pardon the nurses.

Bulgaria, a European Union member since January 1, and its allies in Brussels and Washington have created an international fund to give treatment, medicine and other aid to the children and their families.

But Sofia has declined to pay compensation to the families, saying that would be an admission of guilt and has stepped up pressure on Tripoli to release the six.

Chaushev said the international fund has already offered some financial support to the families and now they, the fund and the Gaddafi foundation are negotiating an agreement.

He declined to say how much support will be given per child, but said ''it won't be in millions''.

REUTERS SP KP2239