Written question asked by Lord Empey (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 9 November 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 November 2021. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 November 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Libya: Freezing of Assets

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the decision by the government of Malta to unfreeze Maltese bank accounts held by Libyan citizens, and (2) whether that decision is consistent with United Nations' resolutions on Libyan frozen assets.

Answer: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011) decided that all Member States shall freeze assets owned or controlled by individuals or entities listed by the Libya Sanctions Committee. The aim of the Libya asset freeze is to ensure that the frozen funds are preserved until such a time as they can be made available to, and for the benefit of, the people of Libya. Any amendments to the asset freeze will require consensus at the UN and will be judged against this goal.

Secondary information