UN impose new sanctions on Libya

NEW YORK - The United Nations security council voted yesterday to tighten economic sanctions against Libya for failing to hand over two suspects in the bombing of Pan American flight 103, which exploded over Scotland five years ago with the loss of 270 lives, writes Peter Pringle.

The council's resolution froze Libya's foreign assets, tightened an existing ban on air links with Libya and cut off oil refining and pipeline equipment. The freeze of assets, designed to create minimal immediate interference with Europe's oil-based trade with Libya, does not include resources derived from Libya's oil industry, which produces 95 per cent of its foreign earnings. The resolution was drawn up by Britain, France and the US. The new sanctions will come into effect on 1 December.