Libya Sanctions Committee
The sanctions committees of the Security Council comprise all Council members and meet in closed session. Office holders are elected by the respective committee for terms that run to 31 December. Slovenia served as the Chair of the Libya Sanctions Committee in 1998 and continues to serve in this function in 1999 as well.
The Libya Sanctions Committee was established in the wake of the terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie. Security Council resolution 748 (1992) created a committee to examine reports requested of Members States on measures instituted for meeting obligations set out in that resolution relating to an air embargo on Libya, an embargo on the provision of arms or related material, and reduction of numbers of staff at Libyan diplomatic missions and other government offices. Security Council resolution 883 (1993) extended the obligations to include the freezing of Libyan overseas assets and the prohibition of trade in certain products relating to the oil industry. It also called for addditional measures under the air embargo.
During the Slovenian Presidency of the Security Council in August 1998, members of the Council unanimously adopted resolution 1192 (1998). By this resolution the Security Council welcomed the United Kingdom - United States initiative for the trial of the two Libyans charged with the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 to be held before a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands. The Council also decided that Libya should ensure appearance in the Netherlands of the two accused. The Council further requested the Secretary-General to assist with the arrangements for the safe transfer of the two accused. Finally, it reaffirmed the continued validity of the measures set forth in its previous resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993), which would be suspended immediately upon the Secretary-General's report that the two accused have arrived in the Netherlands and that the Libyan Government has satisfied the French judicial authorities with regard to another terrorist attack, the bombing of UTA 772.
Following the Secretary-General's report of 5 April 1999, stating that the two accused have arrived in the Netherlands and that the Libyan Government has satisfied the French judicial authorities, all United Nations sanctions against Libya have been suspended indefinitely, in accordance with provisions of the resolution 1192 (1998). Accordingly, the Libya Sanctions Committee has suspended its work, although it continues to exist, pending eventual lifting of sanctions pursuant to the relevant resolutions of the Council.
Until the suspension of sanctions, the Libya Sanctions Committee considered information concerning violations, made recommendations to the Council on ways to increase the effectiveness of measures, proposed action to be taken in the light of violations, and gave advice concerning the implementation of Security Council resolution 883 (1993). It was also authorized to consider applications from states for flights on grounds of humanitarian need in terms of the resolution, and to consider communications from states concerning special economic problems arising from the implementation of the measures, in line with Article 50 of the UN Charter.