Pinochet denies retirement plans

The former military leader of Chile, General Augusto Pinochet, says he will not retire as commander of the army on January the twenty-sixth as has been reported.

Chilean officials have said the General will hand over command of the army at the end of January -- two months earlier than expected.

However, in an interview with a Chilean newspaper , General Pincochet said he would not give a precise date for the handover.

General Pinochet, who is 82, is due to be appointed senator-for-life when he retires from the army.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service