France will not extradite Shayler to Libya

The French Foreign Ministry's spokesperson said France would not turn former British intelligence agent David Shayler over to Libya or allow him to be questioned by Libyan officials.

Libya had requested that Shayler, who is being held by the French authorities after alleging among other things that Britian had launched a failed assassination attempt against Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi, be extradited to Libya for questioning of that france allow Libya to question him during his detention.

The French spokesperson said that France is holding Shayler in light of a British extradition request, as authorized by French law and the European Convention on extradition. Britain has issued an arrest warrant against Shayler for disclosing state secrets.

A French counsel will decide on whether to allow the British extradition request. If it is approved, the French Ministry of Justice will decide whether to recommend extradition.

The spokesperson added that Shayler "will not be subjected to any other legal procedure or independent investigation in France."