U.S. lifts sanctions on trade and transportation to Libya
President Bush authorized lifting the harshest trade sanctions against Libya, ending an 18-year-old sanctions against the North African country.
The president’s authorization, effective Sept. 20, ends the need for U.S. businesses to seek special licenses to trade with Libya, and starts the process to resume direct air services between the countries. In addition, it also allows Libya to resume trading petroleum products with the United States.
The administration based its decision on Libya’s Dec. 19, 2003, announcement to eliminate its programs to develop weapons of mass destruction.
“The progress in U.S.-Libyan relations reflects the cooperation and support exhibited by Libyan officials and experts over the last nine months,” the White House said in a statement. “As a result, concerns over weapons of mass destruction no longer pose a barrier to the normalization of U.S.-Libyan relations.”
However, the Bush’s order does not lift a variety of other sanctions imposed on Libya, such as its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism under the Foreign Assistance Act, Arms Export Control Act, and Export Administration Act.