UN calls for release of Libya’s frozen assets; ICC team probing sexual crimes arrives in Libya; Tunisia calls on Libya over security at border post; UNSMIL mandate extended till March 2012
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    • LIBYA

    Reports noted that in order to help the Libyan government overcome growing cash crunch, the United Nations Security Council attempting to find ways to pressure world government treasuries to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and free Libyan assets. Though the UN Security Council authorised the release of more than $18bn in assets since easing sanctions in September 2011, barely $3bn have reached the interim government. According to officials, Libya's interim leadership needs cash to pay for salaries and to keep public services running.1

    In another development, an investigation team from the International Criminal Court led by Ms Jane O’Toole arrived in Libya to probe sexual crimes committed by loyalists of the former Libyan leader, Muammar Al Gaddafi during the conflict that ended his 42-year reign. Earlier, ICC’s chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said that the court's investigators have evidence that Gaddafi ordered mass rapes and bought containers of sex drugs for troops to attack women during the revolt.2

    Separately, reports noted that expressing deep concern over repeated attacks against its territorial integrity and security by armed Libyans, Tunisia awaits urgent measures to place the Ras El Jedir border point under the responsibility of professional agents including the police, army and customs officials. It also expressed that the attacks must not jeopardise the brotherly relations between the two countries. The border post has been closed a number of times due to the recurrence of such incidents.3

    In other developments, according to reports, the UN Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until the middle of March 2012, and expanded its tasks to include assisting the transitional government in its efforts to address the threat of arms proliferation. Earlier, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNSMIL, Ian Martin, told the Council that the interim Government faces a number of challenges, the most immediate of which is consolidating security.4

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