US President Bush asserted Monday that America sanctions against Libya will remain intact despite recent "positive developments" in the country.
In a January 5 letter to US congressional leaders, Bush said the country's December 19, 2003, announcement that it would eliminate its weapons of mass destruction "marks the beginning of a process that can lead to Libya rejoining the international community," but "must be followed by verification of concrete steps."
In his letter, Bush explained that he was adhering to a declaration of “National Emergency” first issued by President Reagan in 1986 when the US blocked Libyan assets in the United States, accusing the Arab state’s leader Moamer Kadhafi of sponsoring terrorism.
The embargo includes a total ban on direct import and export trade, commercial contracts, and travel-related activities. Sanctions have been extended repeatedly since 1988, when the Libyan leadership was held responsible for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
