UN Council extends Libya sanctions
Libya-UN, Politics, 7/3/1998

The security council extended Thursday sanctions enforced against Libya for its refusal to surrender suspects in the bombing of a Pan Am airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988, killing 270 people.

The council, however, heeded calls by the Organization of African Unity and the Arab League to ask Secretary-General Kofi Annan to play a role in the issue, Libya's ambassador to the UN said.

"From our side, we consider it a positive sign which may lead, in the very near future, to practical steps which would end the sanctions," Libyan ambassador Abuzed O. Dorda said.

The council acting president formally announced that the six-year old sanctions remain in force. The council members have not agreed that the necessary conditions to change the sanctions exist and called on the secretary general to carry on efforts to facilitate a speedy implementation of resolutions (related to the crisis), Map reported.

The USA has been rejecting Libya's proposal that the two men accused of being behind the bombing, be tried by the International Court of Justice or in a neutral country.

The OAU and the Arab League had decided to no longer respect the embargo and Libya and said it will take the case to the upcoming non-aligned summit at end of August in South Africa.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan - Libyan joint high cooperation commission meets   (7/2/1998)
  Libya praises Organization of African Unity's stance concerning Lockerbie case   (5/27/1998)
  Lybia's acceptance of trial offer causes disputes among Lockerbie victims families   (4/23/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search