A US federal judge refused today to block the extradition of former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega to France, where he faces up to 10 years in prison on charges of laundering millions of dollars in drug proceeds through French banks.

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega appeared in federal court in Miami today as attorneys debated where he will be sent when he finishes his drug and racketeering sentence in a Miami prison next month.

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, to be released from a US prison in September, was due in court in Florida today for a hearing on an extradition request from France.

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was denied early release from a Florida prison, despite a letter from a judge saying the 70-year-old former general had spent enough time behind bars.