The Socialist opposition in Spain has clashed with the government over the legalmoves to have the former Chilean military leader, General Augusto Pinochet, extradited to Spain.

The Socialist leader, Jose Borrel, has called on the Prime Minister to sack two state prosecutors for opposing the investigation into General Pinochet in connection with the murders and disappearances of Spanish nationals in Chile.

Mr Borrel said the judges were an embarrasment to Spanish democracy and he urged the Prime Minister to condemn the Pinochet dictatorship.The government has in turn accused the opposition of not respecting the work of the judiciary.

A panel of Spanish judges ruled on Friday that Spanish courts do have jurisdiction to try the general for human rights abuses committed after he seized power.

General Pinochet, who was arrested in London earlier this month on a Spanish extradition warrant, is awaiting a final decision by Britain's highest court on whether he has immunity from prosecution.