Government calls for end to Libya sanctions

Monday, 18 August 2003 12:00 AM

The Government has called for the sanctions imposed on Libya since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing to be lifted.

Foreign Office Minister Denis MacShane said that Libya has accepted responsibility for the bombing and agreed to pay 'substantial compensation' to the relatives of those who were murdered as well as renouncing terrorism and agreeing to co-operate with any further investigations.

The minister believes that having met all these Security Council requirements the sanctions imposed by the UN should be lifted. He explained that the Government has written to the President of the Security Council to explain this and a draft Security Council resolution is also being tabled.

'Since the downing of Pan Am 103 in December 1988 we have pursued those responsible, leading to the trial and conviction of Al Megrahi in 2001. Those responsible for supporting terrorism will have to account for their actions, however long it takes,' Mr MacShane said.

However he went on to explain that by meeting the UN criteria Libya should be able to re enter the international community.

UN sanctions were suspended in 1999 after Libya handed over two suspects to stand trial for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103. On Friday Libya accepted responsibility for the bombing as part of a deal which will see families of victims compensated with $2.7bn (£1.7bn).

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