Justice Minister Elisabeth Guigou said she would deal immediately with any application for Pinochet's extradition from the UK.

The latest move against the General came after Spanish judges decided that they do have the authority to try him on charges of human rights violations during his rule in the 1970s and 1980s.

The BBC's Fergal Keane reports from Santiago on Pinochet's victims and their struggle to come to terms with the past

After a meeting in Madrid, they also ruled that the extradition being requested by the Spanish judge, Baltasar Garzon - whose extradition warrant led to General Pinochet's arrest in London, should be able to go ahead.

But all international investigations against him may be purely academic if the British authorities, as expected, allow the general to fly home in the next few days.

Pinochet: transferred to new clinic

On Wednesday the High Court in London ruled that General Pinochet's arrest was unlawful because he was entitled to immunity as a former head of state.

He has now been granted bail while the House of Lords - the final court of appeal - decides if he has immunity from prosecution.

His conditions of bail mean that he must stay under police guard in a clinic in north London where he was moved on Thursday.

PMs to discuss Pinochet

The Spanish prime minister, Jose Maria Aznar, is expected to discuss the case with his UK counterpart, Tony Blair, on Monday, at a meeting in London.

Daniel Schweimler: Pinochet's release would upset many in Spain

The BBC Madrid correspondent says the findings of the High Court surprised and angered many in Spain, where support for the investigation into General Pinochet is very strong.

The French extradition application was originially made by a French university lecturer of Chilean origin, Marco Entonio Enriquez Espinosa.

He said he based his complaint on the killings of his two brothers Miguel and Edgardo in the 1970s.

The House of Lords is expected to give its ruling on the General's arrest next week.

Lucia Pinochet: Branded a killer by protesters

His wife, Lucia, told Chilean newspaper La Segunda, that her husband was growing more morose by the day.

"Augusto has lost his smile," she said in an interview from London, quoting him as saying: "More bad news, what horror," when told of the Spanish court decision.