Ince&Co International Law Firm

Developments in Libya

Wednesday 24 August, 2011

The situation on the ground in Libya has changed rapidly and dramatically in recent days. It appears that the Gaddafi regime is on the brink of being overthrown, with Colonel Gaddafi’s Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli having been captured by rebel fighters yesterday (23 August). Despite the recent progress made by rebel fighters, bitter fighting continues in areas of Tripoli as well as the cities of Sebha and Sirte.

Whilst welcoming recent developments, the international community has urged caution, warning that even if Gaddafi and his sons were to be captured, the country would still face many difficult challenges in the coming months and years. At the time of writing, international sanctions remain in place (please see our earlier updates on Libya). The US State Department is seeking the immediate release of up to $1.5bn of frozen Libyan government assets to assist the rebels. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday that the EU will be in a position to lift sanctions “fairly rapidly” once the decision has been made to do so. The timing of that decision will depend on political developments in Libya. At the moment the timetable for transition is uncertain. According to reports, members of the National Transitional Council are due to fly to Tripoli today to start work on a new government. Planning for the political transition away from the Gaddafi regime has already been underway for months.

We will provide further updates as and when the legal situation with regard to sanctions changes. 

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