Libya wants real support from Arab League in lifting sanctions

Libya called yesterday on the Arab League council, which began its works today, to help lift the international sanctions imposed on it.

Libya presented a note to the AL's general assembly in which it stated that it is the right of Libyan judicial authorities to question legal procedural affairs relating to the suspects as well as all legal arrangements before the trial is held and after it, according to the Libyan constitutional code.

In its report Libya -- which called for the report to be recognized as an AL document and be added to the agenda-- warned the Arab states against any attempt to nullify the Libyan authorities' rights to practice their legal and constitutional responsibility.

In its report, Libya said the U.S. and British decision to accept a trial of the suspects needs to be clarified with guarantees of the suspects' rights at different stages, specifying those who will enforce the guarantees.

Meanwhile, the Arab League denied published reports by some news agencies and papers that Libya had asked to withdraw the draft request of the British government to hand over the two Libyan suspected to be involved in Lockerbie crisis.

The Arab League assistant secretary general for media affairs said the AL general secretariat did not receive from Libya any application providing for withdrawing this item from its agenda. He added such a news is groundless.

He said consultations are still on between the Arab League member states and the Arab League general secretariat to agree on a final work agenda to be submitted to the Arab League council on September 16.