Libya Angrily Denounces Extension of US Sanctions

Published January 6th, 2001 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Libya on Sunday denounced US President Bill Clinton's decision to extend economic sanctions on the country for another six months, saying Tripoli posed no threat to the United States. 

"The American arguments are ridiculous," the official Libyan news agency JANA declared. 

"If the United States thinks we pose a threat to their national security, that means that Libya has conquered the Americans," the agency said. 

On Thursday, Clinton informed Congress he will extend by six months sanctions Washington slapped on Tripoli some 15 years ago, citing continued "concerns about the Libyan government's support for terrorist activities." 

The United States blames Libya for the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, in which 270 passengers died, most of them US citizens. 

Libya has turned over two suspects in the bombing to Scottish judges convened in The Netherlands. Washington has said Libyan cooperation with the trial is essential before restoring normal contact with Tripoli. 

The State Department bars US passport holders from entering Libya, due to security concerns -- TRIPOLI (AFP) 

 

 

© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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