UN Security Council lifts sanctions from Libya
Libya-France, Politics, 9/13/2003

With a great majority the UN Security Council yesterday voted for a resolution to lift sanctions imposed on Libya 15 years following the explosion incident of the American Pan Am plane over Lockerbie town in Scotland.

The draft resolution number 1506, proposed by Britain, Ireland, and Bulgaria got the consent of 13 members in the council, where as both France and the US abstained from voting.

The Libyan official in charge of Lockerbie issue, Muhamad al-Zwawi, welcomed the resolution which lifts the sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1992.

The US representative at the UN praised the steps taken by Libya but expressed his concern over Tripoli's attitude especially in the area of human rights, and its participation of what he had called terrorist activities. He stressed that the sanctions imposed on Libya by Washington will remain in effect.

In the same context, France welcomed the sanctions lifting decision, noting that it refrained from voting for the decision in order to push Libya to abide by its obligations for the families of the victims of the French plane UTA.

Germany indicated that it hopes that Libya will achieve a just settlement with the families of the victims of the two planes, and stressed the need that Libya will commit to its own obligations.

Libya yesterday, had the UN resolution adopted after France has withdrawn its threat to use "the veto" against the resolution after families of the French plane which was blown over Niger received a promise from Libya to get additional compensations.

The lifting of the sanctions came after Libya agreed to compensate the families of the victims of Lockerbie incidents.

Previous Stories:
  Paris accepts 'declaration of intentions' from Libya on plane bombing compensation   (9/12/2003)
  Paris obstructs lifting sanctions from Libya   (9/10/2003)
  Qathafi declared agreement over Yota; Lockerbie ended and a new page with the west   (9/1/2003)
  Powell: Libya will be on the terrorism list despite its concessions   (8/18/2003)
  Libya admitts responsibility at UN security council; Washington abstains from voting, keeps sanctions   (8/16/2003)
  Claims of agreement for the Lockerbie issue   (8/14/2003)

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