Libyan Arms Deal Tied to Nurse Prisoner Release?

By James Mackenzie

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

Sarkozy clinched an accord on defence and signed a memorandum of understanding for a nuclear energy deal during his visit to Tripoli.

The opposition Socialists called for a parliamentary commission of inquiry to establish whether the missiles sale was linked to the release of the medics.

"There's a further question, which doesn't have to do with a commission of inquiry, which is, should we have arms deals with a country like Libya, ruled by (Muammar) Gaddafi?"Socialist party leader Francois Hollande told France Inter radio.

Morin said criticism from the Socialists was intended to discredit Sarkozy's part in securing the release of the medics after a mission to Tripoli by his wife Cecilia.

"We're seeing a sort of systematic procedure to demolish a real French diplomatic success," he said.

The Rest @ Reuters