Bruni calls for world to 'eradicate AIDS'

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has called for the international community to work together to raise billions of dollars needed to rid the world of AIDS.

The French first lady proposed in today's edition of French newspaper Libération that a "global tax" was needed to fund further research and distribution of antiretroviral drugs proven to prevent the spreading of the virus.

She wrote: "We have a historic opportunity... In a few years we can eradicate AIDS from the surface of the planet.

"Treating everyone means halting transmission of the virus, in other words stopping the epidemic."

Bruni also praised Friday's decision by the leaders of the G8 countries to pledge $5 billion (£3.5 billion) to battle childhood and maternal disease, calling it an "encouraging signal".