afrol News, 3 August - An arms deal signed between Libya and France has been shrouded with controversy, with Saif Gaddafi, the son of the Libyan leader, revealing that the deal played a major role in the release of the six convicted Bulgarian medics. But Libyan authorities dismissed the claims as "unofficial" and "unfounded."

The medics, who were sentenced to death for infecting over 400 Libyan children with HIV/AIDS, were set free hours before French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, set foot in Libya on 25 July.

Mr Sarkozy has also denied the slightest connection between the nuclear agreement and the release of the medics.

French authorities have confirmed the first international arms deal with Libya since sanctions were lifted on the country three years back. This was announced by the French Defence Minister, Herve Morin, and EADS, the European aerospace company.

Libya’s embargo was lifted in 2004 after it had agreed to suspend nuclear arms development and compensate the victims of Lockerbie bombing. Two Libyans were sentenced over the bombing which killed over 250 people.

Libya’s Anti-tank Missiles and Communications Systems has place orders for two missiles systems subsidiary MBDA worth US $411 million from EADS. Both contracts have not been finished yet.

The Libyan leader’s son told a French daily 'Le Monde' that he believed the Bulgarian medics were mere “scapegoats” because he did not believe they were after all guilty of any crime.

Some health experts, particularly those from the west, said the Libyan children were victims of poor hygiene. Over 50 of the infected children died.

Libya has also expressed outrage over the presidential pardon given to the medics who were freed on the pretext that they would observe their prison terms in Bulgaria.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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