Arab differences with Britain, US over Lockerbie
Libya, Politics, 10/8/1997

The Arab League resolutions on the ministerial level regarding the crisis of Lockerbie were decisive. They were similar to the Arab stances in the October War launched by Egypt and Syria against Israel.

The Arab foreign ministers suggested some points to ease the embargo imposed on Libya by USA, Britain, and France through exempting the following from the embargo; flights for humanitarian emergencies, religious purposes like Al Haj (pilgrimage), treatment, transferring medicines and emergency equipment, moving labor and foreign nationals and officials to and from Tripoli, and unfreezing accounts whose sources are not oil.

The suggestions also include assigning a special international envoy to deal with the crisis in order to reach a peaceful settlement to inform the Security Council with a report of the losses incurred by the Libyan people as a result of the embargo.

The Arab Foreign Ministers supported Libya's request to get compensation from the USA for its raids on the on the Ezizia region in 1986 after the US accused Libya of being involved in bombing a cafe in Berlin, which turned out to be incorrect.

The Arab League Council called on its members to implement the suggestions related to the accounts if no solution is reached with the Security Council.

The suggestions call on the three Western countries to respond and choose one of the three alternatives to solve the problem peacefully; they include interrogating the suspects in a neutral country, in the headquarters of the International Court of Justice in Lahai whether by a Scottish court or by an international court.

Meanwhile, Libyan-Egyptians yesterday protested a UN embargo imposed on their country for over five years. The US and UK are demanding that Tripoli hand over two Libyans suspected of involvement in the downing of an airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988.

The Libyans, who thronged along the Libyan-Egyptian border on their way into Egypt, reconfirmed their standing against West's demands for the men's extradition, Al Gomhoria said today.

Previous Stories:
  We want a just trial - Libya Urges UN assembly   (10/1/1997)
  Libya appeals for end to UN sanctions   (9/25/1997)
  Arab League criticizes US stand on Libya   (9/24/1997)

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