Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Friday, 4 October 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 October 2024. It was answered by Hamish Falconer (Labour) on Monday, 14 October 2024 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Libya: IRA

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with his Libyan counterpart on providing compensation to (a) victims and (b) victims’ families of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism.

Answer: The UK Government reiterates its sympathy for UK victims of Qaddafi-sponsored terrorism, and indeed all victims of the Troubles. The UK's position with regards to victims of Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism is that it is the responsibility of the Libyan Government to provide compensation. The UK Government cannot lawfully use frozen Libyan assets to provide compensation to victims as doing so would break international law and our obligations as members of the UN. We will continue to call for Libyan authorities to address the Libyan State's historic responsibility for the Qaddafi regime' support for the IRA.

Secondary information