Brussels, 22/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 22 September, the EU Council adopted several measures designed to help the Libyan economy recover and to assist the United Nations in its support mission for that country. It has authorised the release of frozen assets in order to meet humanitarian and civilian needs, encourage renewed activity in the Libyan oil and banking sectors, and contribute to building a civilian government. Assets are held by the Central Bank of Libya, the Libyan Investment Authority, the Libyan Foreign Bank and Libya Africa Investment Portfolio. The Council has also lifted the asset freeze on two other companies in the oil sector.
The Council also lifted the interdiction on Libyan aircraft to use airports in Europe and European airspace, and partially lifted the arms embargo. This is to allow the supply of “arms intended for security and disarmament assistance to the Libyan authorities as well as light weapons for the use of UN personnel and development workers”, a Council press release states.
The above decisions are in accordance with Resolution 2009 (2011) adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 16 September this year. (CG/transl.jl)