By Hadi Fornaji.
Tripoli, 3 August 2012:
The Libyan government has agreed to pay half of a €150 million bill for the medical care . . .[restrict]of Libyan freedom fighters treated in Greek hospitals. The remainder will only be paid after the figures have been checked.
Bills for treating 5,500 wounded Libyan fighters in Greek hospitals have apparently not been settled since November. Libyan and Greek governments have been negotiating a settlement for two months and Libyan authorities now want to check paperwork relating to the costs before settling the final bill.
Usama Eleyan, the chargé d’affaires at the Libyan Embassy in Greece told the Athens News Agency: “We recognise debts of about €150 million towards various bodies, hospitals, hotels and two travel agencies that took part in the programme.”
Eleyan added: “Today there are between 350 and 500 wounded left in Greece. We are sure that the money will be released soon so everyone can be paid.”
Greek hospitals were promised €15,000 to €30,000 for each Libyan patient treated . However in May they stopped accepting further patients because of the mounting unpaid bill.
This sparked several protests from Libyans living in Greece, which included 30 former freedom fighters occupying the Libya’s Athens embassy.
Jordan is also waiting for hospital and hotel bills to be fully settled. Only 20 percent of bills there for the treatment and accommodation of Libyan freedom fighters have so far been paid, although more than $230 million has so far been handed over. The Jordanian invoices are still being audited independently. [/restrict]
