The highest court in Britain, a panel of judges in the House of Lords, has ruled that the former Chilian military leader, General Augusto Pinochet, is not immune from arrest and must face therefore extradition proceedings.

The decision -- given on the General's eighty-third birthday -- was reached by majority.

Two judges said the General enjoyed immunity because he had been head of state in Chile in the years 1973-to-1990.

But three other judges disagreed.

This clears the way for the General to face extradition proceedings brought by a Spanish judge who wants to charge the General with genocide and torture.

France, Belgium and Switzerland have also issued arrest warrants.The final decision on General Pinochet's extradition now rests with the British government.