Latest news with #YousefAl-Aqouri
Libya Review
22-05-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Libya Discusses Asset Reinvestment with US
A delegation from the Libyan Parliament's Committee for Verifying Libyan Funds Abroad has visited Washington, D.C., to hold discussions with senior U.S. officials regarding Libya's frozen assets. The visit, confirmed by House of Representatives spokesperson Abdullah Bliheg, aimed to address the status and future of Libya's frozen financial holdings in the United States. The meeting took place on the 15th of this month at the U.S. State Department headquarters. The Libyan delegation included the head of the committee, Yousef Al-Aqouri, and committee member Murad Mohamed Hmeima. They met with American officials responsible for Libyan affairs at both the U.S. State Department and the Department of the Treasury, led by David Linfield, the senior official overseeing Libya policy. Discussions focused on the status of Libya's frozen assets in the U.S., in light of the United Nations Security Council's recent Resolution 2769 (2025). This resolution provides a legal framework for the potential reinvestment of frozen Libyan assets under strict international standards and the oversight of reputable financial advisory firms. The American side reaffirmed Washington's commitment to adhering to the UN Security Council's resolutions and pledged to coordinate any actions with all member states. The U.S. also stressed that any steps involving Libya's frozen assets would be taken transparently and within the legal scope of international mandates. The talks mark a significant step in Libya's ongoing efforts to reclaim control over billions of dollars held abroad since the 2011 uprising. The Libyan Parliament sees this as a vital part of ensuring national financial sovereignty and promoting economic recovery. Tags: Department of StateFrozen AssetslibyaLibyan parliamentus
Libya Review
05-05-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Libya Warns UK Against Using Frozen Funds
The Libyan Parliament has strongly rejected any attempt by the United Kingdom or other countries to seize or utilise Libya's frozen assets held abroad, calling such actions a 'blatant violation' of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions. In a statement issued by the Parliamentary Committee for Investigating Libyan Frozen Funds Abroad, lawmakers condemned recent discussions in the UK's House of Lords regarding the possible use of Libyan assets to compensate victims of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The committee cited UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 (2011), which explicitly prohibit tampering with Libyan funds frozen overseas. The UK has previously ruled out using the assets to pay compensation, although it has acknowledged that former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime supplied weapons to the IRA during its conflict with Britain. Among these were large quantities of Semtex explosives, reportedly used in several IRA bombings. Committee head Yousef Al-Aqouri warned that any action to appropriate Libyan funds would be seen as 'an unacceptable and unjustified act' and a direct assault on the Libyan people's national resources. He added that Libya reserves the right to take all necessary legal and diplomatic measures to safeguard its financial assets and prevent their misuse. 'This issue is a national priority that cannot be compromised or negotiated,' Aqouri stressed, urging countries hosting Libyan assets to comply with international obligations and respect Libya's sovereignty. The statement concluded with a call for friendly nations to uphold international law and support mutual interests through respectful bilateral relations. Libyan lawmakers warned that failure to do so would damage diplomatic ties and undermine global trust in the international financial system. The frozen assets, valued in the billions, remain a sensitive and politically charged issue amid Libya's ongoing struggle for stability and sovereignty. Tags: Frozen AssetslibyaLibyan parliamentUnited Kingdom
