BBC World has different plans for Valentine's week. Instead of the usual love and romance specials churned out by other channels, the news channel has lined up hard-hitting interview sessions on its Hard Talk show this week.

Today, Tim Sebastian will interview president of Britain's General Medical Council - Graeme Catto. The committee, established to protect the public from negligent and criminal doctors, has been in the news for all wrong reasons. Till recently, the medical council was plagued by scandals involving abuse, incompetence and serial murders. Catto will be talking about the steps the council will take to restore public trust.

The second interviewee of this week, on Hard Talk is Secretary General of UNITA - Paulo Lukumba "Gato". Tim Sebastian will grill the former rebel faction head about the terrible atrocities his forces inflicted during 27 years of war in Angola, says an official release. Looking back at the war that ended last year, Lukumba will talk about the peace prospectus in the poverty ridden country.

On 13 February, in an interview session on Hard Talk, Jacques Myrad - a member of the French foreign affairs committee and the right-wing RPR party, will air his views on war against Iran. The French premier has publicly opposed the move to wage a war against Iraq, while the nation's foreign minister- Dominique de Villepin- has implied that France might veto a new UN resolution authorising military action. Since France has close trade links with Iraq, Tim Sebastian will ask Jacques Myard about the government stance, the effect it has on its neighbours and allies and the possibility of a change its stance.

On Valentine's day, Sarah Montague will interview Muslim writer and academic- Zia Sardar and director of the centre for Muslim affairs- Jahangir Mohammed. The British prime minister Tony Blair might have recently adapting a new role as US President George Bush's ally, but has failed to convince Britain's large Muslim population the need for military action against Iraq.

During the interview, Sarah Montague will be asking them about their fears and their views about the attack on Iraq. While Mohammed will be talking about need to fight against the tide of Western violence, Sardar will speak out against fanatics that distort Islam.