UN Eases Libyan Sanctions

Posted September 17th, 2011 at 2:03 am (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

The United Nations Security Council has lifted some sanctions and eased others on Libya, hours after the country's seat in the General Assembly was given to the National Transitional Council.

The Security Council voted unanimously Friday to lift financial sanctions on some Libyan banks and companies and ease others to help the country's interim government stabilize and rebuild Libya.

It also approved establishing a U.N. mission to Libya.

In Tripoli Friday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with NTC leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil. U.S. President Barack Obama plans to meet Jalil next week on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York for talks the White House says will focus on the NTC's plans for a post-Gadhafi transition.

Meanwhile, fighters loyal to former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi beat back NTC fighters Friday attempting to take the key Gadhafi loyalist strongholds Sirte and Bani Walid.

Mr. Gadhafi's whereabouts are unknown. Several of his associates and family members have escaped to neighboring countries in recent weeks. Niger said Friday it will keep Mr. Gadhafi's son, Saadi, in custody and will not return him to Libya.

On Thursday, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited Libya. Mr. Cameron called on Mr. Gadhafi and his followers to surrender.