AL denies contradiction of Arabia decision with SC concerning sanctions imposed on Libya

Arab League Assistant Secretary General for International and Political Affairs Mohamed Zakeria Ismael denied that there is any contradiction between the Arab decision to lift the sanctions of Libya immediately after the two Libyan suspects in the Lockerbie case were handed over for trail and the Security Council's decision to suspend the sanctions which could be finally lifted in as little as 90 days.

Zakeria described yesterday the contradiction as something approved only, asserting that there is no essential difference between suspending and lifting the sanctions.

Thus he related the SC's adherence to the gradual suspension, which is not an important matter, just aimed at receiving new guarantees from Libya to combat terrorism.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Monday outlined the steps to be taken toward lifting the sanctions, saying, "A report will have to be submitted. If the Council is satisfied with the report, it will lift the sanctions," indicating that the report will be submitted "after 90 days at the most."

Commenting on the content of the report, which is required by Security Council resolutions, Annan said, "It has to comment on Libya's involvement or non-involvement with terrorism -- the fact that Libya is no longer engaged in terrorism, and that compensation requirements, were the accused to be found guilty, will be honored, and those kinds of things."

Zakeria said the current Arab pressure aims at suitable compensation for Libya for the harm it suffered due to the sanctions, adding that the real initiative in the UN will not fulfilled unless the sanctions are finally lifted by the Security Council.

Furthermore, Zakeria said it is more likely that the compensation issue will be settled through quiet diplomacy between concerned parties.

Libya's material losses from these sanctions are valued at $28 million.