Libyans call on the US to pay compensations

More than 200 Libyans including children and elderly who lost their relatives during the American bombardment in 1986 demonstrated in front of the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva calling to be compensated over the loss of members of their families.

The demonstrators who were wearing white clothes said they represent other hundreds of Libyans who also have been killed or disabled in the attacks which targeted two Libyan cities. They added they call on the Libyan authorities not to give any compensations for the families of the victims of Pan Am plane exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1986, unless they themselves are compensated.

A statement circulated by the demonstrators said "we come here to attract world attention to the crime committed by the USA on April 25th, 1986 when it bombarded civilian areas in Tripoli and Benghazi cities.

The statement continued that this measure was against all international law and principles and caused the killing or wounding and deforming of children, women and the elderly and in destroying houses and civilian installations. Leaders of the demonstrators in Geneva said they want direct dialogue with the USA.

The administration of the former US President Ronald Reagan launched the attacks in revenge of what it called terrorist operations sponsored by Libya against Americans in Europe. This bombardment took place two years before the Lockerbie explosion which claimed the lives of 270 persons.

Last week the UN Security Council lifted sanctions imposed on Libya after it had agreed to pay a sum of 2.7 billion dollars to compensate families of the killed in the explosion. Libya is also is negotiating to finalize a deal to give compensations for the families of 170 victims in the explosion of the French passengers plane over Niger in 1989. Libya accepted responsibility for the two incidents despite the fact that their official representatives deny any direct involvement.