Written question asked by Tony Lloyd (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 November 2005. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Libya

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made in the context of the UK Presidency of the European Union to the Libyan Authorities regarding the situation of the Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 28 November 2005]: On behalf of the EU, the UK Presidency issued a statement on 15 November 2005, noting the decision by the Libyan Supreme Court to delay its ruling on the death sentences on the Bulgarian and Palestinian medical staff, expressing our concern about their plight, and that we continue to support efforts to find a resolution, which is acceptable to both parties, to this difficult and longstanding issue. We are engaging with the Libyan and Bulgarian authorities to secure that outcome. At the same time, the UK is working with EU partners to provide humanitarian assistance to alleviate the HIV crisis in Benghazi, including through the EU HIV Action Plan.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 32371; 440 c298-9W;440 c299W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Bulgaria Capital punishment Health professions HIV/AIDS Palestine Libya
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk