Solution to Lockerbie incident very near
An official source at the people's committee for foreign communications and international cooperation asserted that there is a solution near to the Lockerbie crisis following the talks held by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Saturday with the secretary of the people's committee for foreign communications and international relations in Libya.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Saturday night announced that he had held fruitful and positive talks with Libyan President Col. Moammar Gaddafi concerning the Lockerbie issue. In a press conference he held at Tripoli International Airport following his arrival from the Libyan desert where he met with Gaddafi in his tent, Annan said he felt complete readiness on the Libyan part to work to find a solution to the Lockerbie issue and secure a fair trial for the Libyan suspects.
Annan added that Libya agreed to hold the trial of the two Libyans in a third country, adding that, "Libya thinks that there can be solutions to all other pending issues pertaining to this matter."
He added that during the coming weeks continued contacts and consultations will be made between the UN and Libya to find a solution to this crisis. He expected the coming phase to witness steps for the better in this matter "despite its complexities and difficulties."
Annan said that Libya asked the UN to answer certain inquiries and provide explanations on this matter, noting that he never thought at any moment that the question of Lockerbie is a simple issue, rather a difficult one which needs greater efforts to be sorted out.
For his part, in the press conference Libyan Foreign Minister Omar al-Muntasir described Annan's talks as positive and important. He added that it was agreed to work seriously to "settle the Lockerbie crisis and ensure a fair trial for the two Libyans."
Al-Muntasir explained that the issue of Lockerbie is one of the main issues, noting that the decision makers in this respect are the "constituent people's conferences in which all Libyan people are taking part and to be held within few days." He added that the Lockerbie incident needs certain practical measures which will by its turn take some time to be undertaken.
The UN Security Council had authorized Annan in a decision released in August to complete measures to transfer the two Libyans to Holland to be tried there according to Scottish law. The Dutch authorities took necessary preparations in Camp Zest, a former air base near Utrecht.
Libya asks for guarantees to the two Libyans who are suspected in the incident. It also demands lifting the international sanctions imposed on it in the framework of this issue immediately after handing over the two men.