Arab League calls for unfreezing of Libyan assets

CAIRO: The Arab League (AL) early Sunday called on "the UN and countries concerned" to "unfreeze the assets and property" of Libya, in a statement released here after a special meeting of Arab foreign ministers.

The ministers "call on the Security Council and the countries concerned to assume their responsibilities in these difficult circumstances that the Libyan people are undergoing by rescinding the decision to block the funds, assets and property of the Libyan state," the communique said.

They also called on the UN "to permit the National Transitional Council (the Libyan rebels' political organ) to occupy the seat of Libya in the United Nations and its various organisations."

The number two of the NTC, Mahmud Jibril, headed the Libyan delegation at the League meeting here.

Jibril stressed that the NTC urgently needed financial aid, warning of "instability" in Libya if the rebels failed to restore salaries and services needed by the people. (AFP)