Although Libya's supreme court on July 11 upheld the death sentences on July 11 against six Bulgarian medics for infecting Libyan children with HIV, it is still possible that the medics will be reprieved next week, officials said.

EU and Bulgarian leaders have been involved in prolonged efforts to secure a deal with families of the victims, and have expressed regret at the ruling, Reuters news agency reported.

Run by Saif al-Islam, a son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the Gaddafi Foundation charity has been a central player in facilitating the talks.

The EU and the association of the families of the children have been negotiating a possible deal which would provide a fund of tens of millions of dollars for the children's medical attention in the future.

The Libyan families have asked for 10 million euro for each child, an amount which greatly exceeds the sum the EU has been prepared to pay.

Bulgaria refuses to accept Libya's demands for “compensation," as the term implies an admission of guilt.

The high judicial council, which is controlled by the Libyan government and headed by the minister of justice, has the power to confirm or commute the sentence or pardon the medics. The council will consider the case on July 16.