Fatchett: Libya has to abide by UN resolutions

British Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth Derek Fatchett said that Libya has to abide by UN resolutions and hand over the two Libyans suspected of being involved in the Lockerbie jet bombing in 1988.

In a press conference he held on late Wednesday night in Doha, Fatchett was quoted as saying that there are no negotiations between Libya, Britain and the US because Libya has to abide by UN resolutions on handing over the two suspected Libyans to be tried in a neutral country.

On the tensions between Iran and the Taleban movement, Fatchett called upon the two sides to maintain self-control and to try to settle the disputes by peaceful means.

Meanwhile, the UK government signed an agreement today with the Netherlands for administering a trial for the two Libyans in the Hague, according to the British Foreign Office. A Foreign Office release quoted British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook as calling the agreement "a significant step forward for the joint UK - US strategy to resolve the Lockerbie issue."

Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aartsen and British Ambassador Rosemary Spencer signed the agreement, which the Foreign Office said regulates the "proper functioning of the Scottish court." It said that Scottish procedural and evidence rules will be followed, and the normal guarantees of a fair trial under Scottish law will apply. It added that three Scottish High Court Judges would preside, and international observers would be able to attend the trial.

While the US - UK proposal for the trial has been presented by both sides as non-negotiable for Libya, the Foreign Office indicated that it is willing to clarify "legal or technical points."

Libya has not formally accepted the agreement, and guarantees have been sought to ensure that the two suspects will not be taken to the US or UK, that they would have a doctor and religious guide available during the trial and that they would be allowed permanent communications with their lawyers and families.