Libya (1993-2003)

Overview

Selected documents:

United Nations
European Union
UK legislation
Releases

Overview

United Nations sanctions were imposed on Libya in 1992 and 1993 in the light of suspected Libyan implication in the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in Scotland on 21 December 1988 and UTA Flight 772. Financial sanctions were imposed as part of UNSCR 883 (1993) on 11 November 1993 and came into force in the UK on 1 December 1993.

UNSCR 1192 (1998) provided for the suspension of UN sanctions should the Secretary-General of the UN report to the Security Council that the two persons accused of the bombing of the Pan Am flight had arrived in the Netherlands for the purposes of trial.

On 5 April 1999 the Secretary-General reported that the requirements for the suspension of measures had been met, and therefore the UN sanctions were immediately suspended.

UN sanctions were lifted on 12 September 2003 as part of UNSCR 1506 (2003).

Selected documents

United Nations

12.09.2003 UN Security Council Resolution 1506 (2003) (PDF 21KB)
Lifted measures in paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of UNSCR 748 (1992) and paragraphs 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of UNSCR 883 (1993).
05.04.1999 UN Press Release SC/6662 (PDF 67KB)
Welcomed the report of Secretary-General on the arrival in the Netherlands of the two individuals charged with the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 as well as the co-operation of the Libyan Government with the French authorities with regard to the bombing of UTA 772.
27.08.1998 UN Security Council Resolution 1192 (1998) (PDF 13KB)
Called upon all states to co-operate with the initiative for the trial of the two persons charged with the bombing of Pan Am flight 103.
11.11.1993 UN Security Council Resolution 883 (1993) (PDF 16KB)
Imposed financial sanctions against Libya. Requested States take measures to ensure that no claim/payments could be made under any bond etc in respect of a contract or other transaction or commercial operation the performance of which was affected by this resolution or related resolutions.
31.03.1992 UN Security Council Resolution 748 (1992) (PDF 239KB)
Included the imposition of an arms embargo and a selective travel ban.
21.01.1992 UN Security Council Resolution 731 (1992) (PDF 148KB)
Condemned the destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 and UTA Flight 772.

European Union

20.04.1999 Council Regulation (EC) No 836/1999 (PDF 33KB)
Suspended the operation of Council Regulation (EC) No 3274/93 in line with the UN suspension of sanctions.
29.11.1993 Council Regulation (EC) No 3275/1993 (PDF 80KB)
Prohibited the satisfying of claims with regard to contracts and transactions, the performance of which was affected by UNSCR 883 (1993) and related resolutions.
29.11.1993 Council Regulation (EC) No 3274/1993 (PDF 78KB)
Implemented measures pursuant to UNSCR 883 (1993) and UNSCR 748 (1992) preventing the supply of certain goods and services to Libya.

UK legislation

01.12.1993 The Libya (UN Sanctions) Order 1993 (SI 1993/2807) (PDF 138KB)
Re-enacted, with certain modifications, the provisions of the Libya (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1992 (SI 1992/975) and imposed further restrictions, pursuant to UNSCR 883 (1993). Restricted the making available or otherwise transferring certain funds or other financial resources to or for the benefit of the Government of Libya any bodies exercising public functions in Libya, or any Libyan undertaking. The assets freeze did not apply to funds derived from the sale by Libya of oil after 30 November 1993, which were required to be held in separate accounts.
15.04.1992 The Libya (UN Sanctions) Order 1992 (SI 1992/975) (PDF 129KB)
Imposed restrictions on Libya pursuant to UNSCR 748 (1992).

Releases

29.09.2003 Libya (BoE) [Lifting of sanctions] (PDF 132KB)
06.04.1999 Libya (BoE) [Suspension of sanctions] (PDF 6KB)
20.07.1994 Libya (BoE) (PDF 19KB)
01.12.1993 Libya (BoE) [Imposition of sanctions] (PDF 90KB)

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