SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS FLIGHT OF LIBYAN AIRCRAFT TO JEDDAH CLEAR VIOLATION OF COUNCIL RESOLUTION

18 April 1996

Press Release
SC/6209

SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS FLIGHT OF LIBYAN AIRCRAFT TO JEDDAH CLEAR VIOLATION OF COUNCIL RESOLUTION

19960418 The Security Council tonight said it considered the 16 April flight of a Libyan-registered aircraft from Tripoli to Jeddah as a clear violation of Council resolution 748 (1992) and totally unacceptable, calling on Libya to refrain from any further violations.

In a statement read out by its President, Juan Samovía (Chile), the Council recalled that arrangements have been made consistent with resolution 748 (1992) in order to fly Libyan pilgrims to perform the Hajj. The Council said it would review the matter should further violations occur and has requested the Sanctions Committee to draw attention of Member States to their obligations under resolution 748 (1992) in the event that Libyan-registered aircraft landed in their territory.

By resolution 748 (1992), the Council imposed aerial, arms and diplomatic sanctions against Libya on 15 April of that year, until that Government complied with requests to cooperate fully in establishing responsibility for terrorists acts against Pan Am flight 103 and UTA flight 772.

Text of Presidential Statement

The statement, which will be issued as S/PRST/1996/18, reads as follows:

"On 16 April 1996, a Libyan-registered aircraft flew from Tripoli, Libya, to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Security Council considers this clear violation of Security Council resolution 748 (1992) of 31 March 1992 as totally unacceptable and calls on Libya to refrain from any further such violations. It recalls that arrangements have been made consistent with resolution 748 (1992) in order to fly Libyan pilgrims to perform the Hajj. The Council will review the matter should further violations occur.

"The Council has requested the Committee established pursuant to resolution 748 (1992) to draw to the attention of Member States their obligations under resolution 748 (1992) in the event that Libyan-registered aircraft land in their territory."

The meeting, which began at 11:40 p.m., was adjourned at 11:42 p.m.

* *** *