Security Council Sanctions Committee rejects Belgium’s request to seize Libya’s frozen assets
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has rejected Belgium’s request to seize 49 million euros ($59.39 million) of Libya’s frozen assets, the African country’s permanent delegate to the U.N. said Saturday.
Taher el-Sonni described the U.N. rejection of the Belgian proposal as a “major victory” for Libya.
“This decision is a warning to any country that tries to manipulate the Libyans’ equities,” el-Sonni tweeted.
El-Sonni said that Libya has advised Belgium to withdraw its request as it lacked any legal basis.
The diplomat said the Belgium request was unanimously rejected by the UNSC members without giving any further details.
There was no comment from Brussels on the U.N. decision.
GSDT has sued Tripoli for the asset promised to it by former ruler Muammar Gaddafi, following an agreement in 2008 between the Libyan government and the foundation to establish a green project in the oil-rich country.
Last month, the Belgian government said it would inform the U.N. sanctions committee to unfreeze some of the Libyan assets in Belgian banks to get dues worth 49 million euros to GSDT, an NGO owned by Belgian Prince Laurent.
Since Gaddafi’s ouster and killing in 2011, the U.N. sanctions committee has imposed an arms embargo on Libya, including the freezing of the country’s funds abroad.
