The Bush administration will maintain U.S. sanctions against Libya despite Tripoli's acceptance of responsibility for the bombing of a Pan Am jetliner in 1988.
Also, Secretary of State Colin Powell said in a statement Friday that Libya will remain on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, which carries additional economic penalties, according to the AP.
But the United States will not oppose the formal lifting of U.N. sanctions against Libya, Powell said.
Libya officially accepted responsibility in a letter delivered Friday to the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, Mikhail Wehbe, as part of a $2.7 billion settlement with the victims' families.
Libyan Ambassador Ahmed A. Own wrote that his government has helped bring to judgment two suspects in the bombing and "accepts responsibility for the actions of its officials."
Libya "is committed to be cooperative in the international fight against terrorism," the letter said. "It is also committed to cooperate with efforts to bring those who are suspects to judgment." (Albawaba.com)
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