Noriega, who ruled Panama with an iron fist from 1983 until his overthrow in a   US invasion in 1989, spent more than 20 years in an American prison before   being extradited in 2010 to France, where he was sentenced to seven years   for money laundering.

“The court acknowledges Manuel Antonio Noriega’s consent to being handed over   to the Panamanian authorities,” the judge said.

French justice had already approved extradition for Noriega earlier this year   but legal proceedings related to a second extradition request delayed the   transfer. This required American approval because US authorities sent Noriega to France   in April 2010 while he was serving time in a Miami jail. France’s prime minister, François Fillon, must now sign an administrative   decree for Noriega to be transferred, possibly within days. Noriega’s lawyer Olivier Metzner said on Wednesday it was now up to Panama to   send a military aeroplane or police authorities to carry out the extradition.

Panama wants him extradited from France to serve three 20-year sentences for   corruption, embezzlement and the murders of three opponents – Hugo   Spadafora, a doctor and former deputy health minister, in 1985; Captain   Moises Giroldi in 1989; and union activist Heliodoro Portugal in 1970.