It was a dramatic day for Libya at the United Nations. In the morning, the National Transitional Council, which now governs the country, was granted the Libyan seat in the General Assembly hall. In the afternoon, the U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution lifting some sanctions and easing others in an effort to help the North African nation as it moves into its new era.
The Security Council had imposed sanctions including asset freezes, an arms embargo and other measures on the government of Moammar Gadhafi in the spring, in a bid to stop his violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
On Friday, the 15-member council lifted financial sanctions against some Libyan banks and companies and eased measures on others as it tries to help the interim government stabilize and rebuild the country. Germany’s U.N. Ambassador Peter Wittig said adoption of the resolution would help stimulate Libya’s economic recovery.
“By lifting and modifying the asset freeze, the local economy and trade will be kick-started,” said Wittig. “However, this is a first step only. It is clear that eventually all economic sanctions shall be lifted for those entities under the control of the Libyan authorities.”