The nurses and a Palestinian doctor had been sentenced to death for their alleged role in infecting the Libyan children with the HIV virus.

"I hope that the new trial will begin soon and that it will comply with the internationally recognised standards of fairness and due process," said council secretary general Terry Davis.

Libyan Justice Minister Ali Hasnawi told AFP that the new trial would be held "in one month" and that there would be "new judges".

The hearing Sunday on the admissibility of the nurses' appeal lasted barely an hour. The accused were not present in court.