FRANCE: Libya says unfrozen assets will be used for humanitarian purposes

Record ID: 277305

  • Title: FRANCE: Libya says unfrozen assets will be used for humanitarian purposes
  • Date: 3rd September 2011
  • Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (SEPTEMBER 2, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL SIGN READING "GRAND HOTEL" NEWS CONFERENCE ONGOING JOURNALIST'S HAND (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF THE RULING INTERIM COUNCIL'S STABILISATION TEAM AREF ALI NAYED SAYING: "We very much appreciate the unfreezing of major funds and we expect to use first and foremost for people well-being beg
  • Embargoed: 18th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France, France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Economy,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA79WNFI6WAECHQ2VO1QIMEO03C
  • Story Text: A senior member of Libya's interim administration said on Friday (September 2) that money from unfrozen assets held around the world would be primarily used for humanitarian purposes.
    Speaking at a conference in Paris the day after an international meeting in the French capital hailed the new Libyan leadership, the head of its stabilisation team, Ali Nayed, said the priorities were obvious.
    "We very much appreciate the unfreezing of major funds and we expect to use first and foremost for people well-being beginning with humanitarian aspects specially medical food security, water and spare part for critical infrastruture," he said.
    The meeting followed a high-level international conference in Paris on Thursday on Libya's political and economic rebuilding, where world leaders pledged to free up more Libyan government assets frozen under U.N. sanctions.
    Libya is also counting on quickly restoring oil production to revive its economy and five international oil firms are already back and working to resume operations, senior officials in the interim council's reconstruction team said on Friday.
    At Friday's conference, Ali Nayed and his team met with experts from the World Bank, United Nations and European Union to discuss what aid is needed following the six-month conflict to oust Gaddafi. U.S. and French officials also said the meeting was mainly about listening to the National Transitional Council's needs.
    "We need the international presence as advisers and consultants and technical support. The Libyan people are proud and liberated themselves of course with the help of NATO protecting the civilians. They will not want any boots on the ground or troops but what they need are the technical know-how, the support and the advices," Ali Nayed said.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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