[JURIST] European diplomats working for the release of six foreign medics [BBC Q&A: JURIST news archive] sentenced by Libya to life in prison [JURIST report] for allegedly infecting hundreds of children with the HIV virus said Monday that the Libyan government is seeking additional funds for the treatment of the survivors. The diplomats also said that the Libyan government wants closer ties with the European Union in exchange for their release. The EU is reportedly unwilling to agree to a compensation deal that suggests that the five Bulgarian nurses and one Palestinian doctor are guilty.

Last Tuesday, Libya's Supreme Judiciary Council commuted the death sentences [JURIST report] of the six medics when the families of the infected patients dropped calls for execution after each received $1 million in compensation [JURIST report]. In June, the Bulgarian government granted citizenship to the Palestinian doctor [JURIST report] so that he will be included in any settlement along with the Bulgarian nurses. BBC News has more.