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Libya Settles U.S. Terror Cases
On August 14, 2008, the United States and Libya reached a bilateral comprehensive claims settlement agreement compensating victims of bombings attributed to Libya in Lockerbie, Scotland (1988) and Berlin, Germany (1986) and settling Libyan claims arising from U.S. military action in Tripoli and Benghazi (1986).
The nearly $2 billion deal settles 26 terrorism lawsuits pending against Libya in U.S. courts and provides immunity against future suits of this kind. According to Assistant Secretary of State David Welch, the agreement will permit Libya and the US to develop their relations, which have thawed considerably since Libya was removed from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 2006.
BBC News reports that although the agreement does not constitute an admission of fault by either party, it is an important step toward restoring U.S.-Libyan relations. The agreement, according to the Chicago Tribune may be a model for others seeking to restore diplomatic relations with the United States. Additional information on the agreement is available from the U.S. State Department and the Associated Press. -- Christina Mason, legal assistant, Berliner, Corcoran & Rowe, LLP.
Tue, / / Embassy Law Link
