Economic Sanctions

• Author: International Law Group

According to the U.S. State Department, the President issued an Executive Order on January 20, 2004 that takes away a number of restrictions he had imposed on Libya. For example, the Order ends the National Emergency announced in 1986 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

It also abolishes economic curbs on aviation services with Libya, allowing direct scheduled air service and regular passenger charter flights. In addition, the Order unblocks about $1.3 billion in assets frozen under the Libya sanctions program as it applied to both Libyan and non-Libyan entities.

During 2004, Libya has been working closely with several international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPIC). Furthermore, Libya has asked the United States and the United Kingdom for their help in "transparently and verifiably" doing away with its weapons of mass destruction and its MTCR-class missile programs.

On the nuclear front, Libya has enabled the removal of all critical elements of its hitherto undeclared nuclear programs. It has also started cooperating with the international community to remove its highly enriched uranium and has agreed to alter its reactor at Tajura to run on low-enriched uranium fuel. Finally, Libya has signed and is carrying out the IAEA Additional...