The Chilean government is reported to be considering a fresh legal approach to secure the release of the country's former military ruler, General Augusto Pinochet, who's been detained in Britain.

The acting foreign minister, Mariano Fernandez, said in an interview with a Chilean newspaper, El Mercurio, that the Chilean government would argue that the General can only be tried in Chile, where his alleged crimes were committed.

Until now, the government's main argument has been that, as a former head of state, the General enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Britain's highest court, the House of Lords, is to re-examine an appeal this week over whether the General can be extradited to Spain to face charges of torture and genocide.

An earlier ruling was set aside after it was revealed one of the Law Lords had failed to disclose ties with Amnesty International, one of the groups campaigning for General Pinochet's extradition.