EU further extends restrictive measures in Libya

EU further extends restrictive measures in Libya

2011-05-25 22:38:08 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Wednesday extended the restrictive measures previously impose in Libya by adding individuals and firms to the EU's sanctions list.

The European Council decided to impose the travel ban and freeze of assets to another eleven persons. In addition, the Council applied the assets freeze to nine entities.

The additional persons and entities will be included in the lists of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures initially announced on February 28. The new lists will be published in the EU's Official Journal.

On Monday, the Council approved a resolution to place an additional person and an additional entity to the lists of designated persons and entities subject to travel restrictions and an assets freeze.

The extended measures came after High Representative Catherine Ashton opened the EU office in the troubled Libyan city of Benghazi last Sunday. It will foster EU assistance in coordination with Member States and other international organizations.

The Benghazi office will also support the rebel Transitional National Council (TNC) which Ashton said represented the aspirations of Libyans. Meanwhile, Col. Muammar 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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