The Chilean foreign minister, Jose Miguel Insulza, is being sent to Britain and Spain to try to secure the freedom of his country's former military leader, Augusto Pinochet -- who's in detention in London.

Chile's renewed diplomatic moves follow a ruling by Britain's highest court that General Pinochet is not immune from prosecution.

Spain wants him extradited to face charges of genocide and torture.

The British Home Secretary, Jack Straw, must now decide the issue.

The Chilean armed forces have said they support President Eduardo Frei's efforts to win the General's release.

Police in the capital, Santiago, used water cannon to disperse demonstrators both for and against him.