The House of Representatives’ Committee for Verifying Libya’s Frozen Assets Overseas has firmly rejected any attempt by the United Kingdom to seize or manipulate Libya’s frozen funds under any pretext.
In an official statement, the committee described the UK’s consideration of such measures—specifically in relation to compensating victims of Irish Republican Army (IRA) attacks - as a violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
The committee warned that any unilateral move by a foreign country involving Libyan assets would be deemed unacceptable and a direct assault on the wealth of the Libyan people, adding that such actions would not go unanswered. The committee reaffirmed that it is taking all necessary steps to protect Libya’s assets from misuse or exploitation.
The statement urged countries holding Libya’s frozen assets to leave them untouched and respect international legal obligations, emphasizing that this is essential for fostering mutual interests and maintaining strong diplomatic relations.
This response follows recent discussions in the UK House of Lords on potentially using Libya’s frozen assets to compensate victims of IRA bombings in the 1970s and 1980s, which were supported by Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.
While victims, their families, and human rights organizations have long campaigned for such compensation, successive British governments have declined to access Libya’s frozen funds, arguing that doing so would contravene international law.
