UK calls for removal of Libya sanctions
The UK has formally petitioned the United Nations to remove sanctions from Libya.
The move is the first step to be taken as part of an agreement between Libya and lawyers representing the families of those that died in the Lockerbie bombing which could see them receive £10million per family.
Following negotiations in the UK, Libya accepted responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing and renounced support for terrorism. It agreed to establish a $2.7billion fund from which to pay staggered compensation.
Although the deal means Libya is expected to immediately start shifting funds into an account with the Bank of International Settlements, these funds will not be available to claimants until other significant actions are taken.
The first requirement from the western powers is they ensure the United Nations formally removes sanctions on Lybia.
Sanctions were suspended in 1999 as part of a deal which saw two Libyans stand trial for the bombing in a Scottish court in Holland. But the UK has now written to the United Nations to suggest that Libya has met the requirements for them being permanently removed.
That first act will see funds worth $4million per family made available, and the same amount will be made available again when the USA removes its sanctions on the North African state.
UN sanctions are believed to be removable within a week, if French concerns that the deal is unfair to poorer victims of a previous Libyan terrorist atrocity do not lead it to veto a removal of sanctions.
However, other changes are less simple. It will take some time for the USA to remove its sanctions regime, which sees it take punitive action against foreign firms that invest in the country. It will also be difficult for the USA to conclude that Libya is no longer a terrorist threat, a move that would see the last $2million per family released.
Representatives of the families welcome the move towards a form of justice, and particularly the possibilities opened by a part of the agreement that states Libya must write to the United Nations to accept its responsibility for the bombing.
Following the conviction at a Scottish court in Holland of Abdelbaset ali Mohmed al-Megrahi for the Lockerbie bombing, the families fear that any such letter would place the blame on individuals rather than accept that the Government was to blame. This would make a difference to any right to sue afforded to the families
