LOC21:18
18:18 GMT
LONDON, Oct 4 (KUNA) -- Britain is backing calls for compensation to be
paid by Libya to those injured by arms shipped to the IRA by the Gaddafi
regime, peers were told Tuesday.
Foreign Office minister Lord Howell said at question time at the House of
Lords that this was an "important bi-lateral issue".
Libya's national transitional council had assured the British Government
that it would work with them to resolve such issues arising from "the wrongs"
of the Gaddafi regime.
The pro-British Ulster Unionist Lord Empey said the regime supplied
"boatloads" of armaments to the IRA during the Troubles, including semtex
explosives, which were responsible for the "death and injury of thousands of
UK citizens" together with destruction to property.
He said those who suffered from "what was nothing short of an act of war"
should be properly compensated for that. Lord Howell said the top priority at
the moment was to ensure that Libya completed its transition to an inclusive,
stable and democratic government.
But he added: "Certainly these matters lie just ahead and we will give full
support through the Foreign office-led unit to support the campaign for
reconciliation and compensation in Northern Ireland."
Pressed later about the murder of British policewoman Yvonne Fletcher
outside the Libyan embassy in London in 1984, Lord Howell said the
Metropolitan Police were determined to bring the investigation to a close.
This was a "key element" in future relations with Libya and its new leaders
had assured the Prime Minister that they would "cooperate fully" with the
investigation. (end)
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