Russia asks Annan to support Libya in Lockerbie case

Russia confirmed the importance that the United Nations' secretary general and the concerned parties with Lockerbie case reply to the questions presented by Libya concerning the British - American initiative to try two Libyan suspects in the Netherlands by a Scottish court.

The Russian ambassador in Cairo, Vladimir Godiev, said after his meeting today with the Arab League's secretary general that it is necessary to clear up some points that were presented in the initiative through diplomatic channels and the United Nations secretary-general.

He also emphasized "the agreement of Russia and the Arab League on the importance of using the positive chances currently available to solve the Lockerbie crisis and to terminate the imposed sanctions on Libya without any procrastination or waiting," adding that the Security Council's last resolution concerning the crisis opens the way for the final solution of the Lockerbie case.

Meanwhile, Libyan official sources yesterday described the British - American proposal concerning delivering the Libyan suspects in Lockerbie's case for trial at the Hague as "a lie and an attempt at cheating." The sources asked, "Who guarantees that Britain and America will not arrest the Libyan suspects after they are delivered to Holland?"

The sources said that this initiative will turn out to be a trick and added that it aims at attempting to prevent the economic sanctions against Libya from being lifted immediately, saying that Britain and American want to intensify the sanctions.