EU strengthens restrictive measures on the Libyan regime

EU strengthens restrictive measures on the Libyan regime

2011-05-24 05:59:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Monday adopted a legislation to strengthen the restrictive measures imposed on the Libyan regime.

The resolution was approved by the European Council and also place and an additional person and an additional entity to the lists of designated persons and entities subject to travel restrictions and an assets freeze.

The sanctions came one day after High Representative Catherine Ashton opened the EU office in the troubled Libyan city of Benghazi. The office is initially located in the Tibesti Hotel in central Benghazi which is home to the UN, the EU's Humanitarian Aid Agency ECHO and other international agencies.

"Opening an EU Office is an important signal of our support for the Libyan people. It is the EU putting words into action," said Ashton. "I plan to meet key people from the Transitional National Council, civil society groups and our international partners."

The Benghazi office will foster EU assistance in coordination with Member States and other international organizations. It will also support the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) which Ashton said represented the aspirations of Libyans.

The visit came after NATO warplanes carried out further attacks on government targets in Tripoli, including Col. Muammar Gaddafi's compound. Gaddafi's forces remain entrenched in Tripoli and the west, despite the NATO-led campaign.

NATO took control of foreign military operations in Libya on March 31. NATO acted under the UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorizes member states to take 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians in the North African country

In February, rebels rose up against the 41-year-long regime of Gaddafi. The ongoing civil war between rebels and forces loyal to Gaddafi has so far claimed at least 2,000 lives since unrest began.

Other estimates put the death toll from all sides, including civilians, at up to 10,000. An estimated 615,000 people have fled the country so far, with more than 10,000 evacuated from the troubled city of Misrata.

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