admin“We are sure that the frozen amount belongs to the Libyan people. France will release 230 million euros in the next few days and we are going to work with our partners in the Security Council to unfreeze the (remaining) Libyan assets,” Juppe, speaking through an interpreter, told a news conference.
The freezing of Libyan assets was part of a package of measures designed to put pressure on Gaddafi’s administration to stop attacking civilian protesters during this year’s revolt against his 42-year rule.
Gaddafi was forced from power in August but by late November only about $18 billion of the $150 billion in seized assets had been released by special dispensation from the UN Security Council’s sanctions committee. Diplomats said last month that of the $18 billion, only about $3 billion had been made available to Tripoli.
Some countries have said they have legal concerns about the ownership of the assets, while others want reassurances that Libya’s fragile government is sufficiently competent and cohesive to be able to use the money effectively.
Last week the governor of Libya’s central bank, the prime minister, the finance minister and the head of the interim leadership, the National Transitional Council, signed a letter to the UN asking it to release the funds. — AP.
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