Abdul Meguid talks with U.S. ambassador in Cairo about Lockerbie

Esmat Abdul Meguid, the Arab League's secretary general, received yesterday the US ambassador in Cairo, Daniel Kurtzer, who said he discussed with Abdul Meguid recent developments in the Lockerbie crisis and a number of issues that the Arab foreign ministers will deal with on September 16.

Kurtzer said he presented to Abdul Meguid a detailed discussion of the dimensions of the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution 1192 (calling on Libya to quickly deliver the Lockerbie bombing suspects to trial in the Hague, or else face further sanctions), and the US view toward the resolution, expressing his hope that Libya would agree upon the resolution as well.

Concerning the possibility of U.S.A launching a dialogue with Libya to negotiate implementing the Security Council's resolution, Kurtzer said that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has been informed about the resolution so he can take procedures for delivering the accused Libyans to the trial in the Hague.

Kurtzer expected Libya's approval on the Security Council resolution, saying that the matter is currently in Libya's hands, and the Security Council will not rescind this resolution. Libya has refused to deliver the suspects demanding certain guarantees to the suspects that will ensure a fair trial. Libya has other concerns that relate to providing the two Libyans with personal preachers (religious), and to ensuring that if convicted, the Libyans will be imprisoned in The Hague and not Britain.