The government of Chile has stepped up its efforts to secure the release of the country's former military leader, General Pinochet, who remains under arrest in London.

The Chilean government has issued a formal request to Britain for him to be set free, and the foreign minister , Jose Miguel Insulza, has questioned whether it is worth the Spanish courts prosecuting a man of General Pinochet's age.

A Spanish judge is trying to extradite him to Spain, to stand trial for alleged genocide and torture.

Judge Baltazar Garzon has also asked the authorities in Switzerland and Luxembourg to freeze any bank accounts General Pinochet holds.

The judge said he wanted to ensure that General Pinochet would pay any fines or damages if he is eventually tried in Spain.