§ Q2. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the statement of 1 July made 390 by Mr. Abdel Meguid, former Foreign Minister of Egypt, a copy of which has been sent to him, relating to the Organisation of African Unity's policy towards the trial of Libyans indicted for the Lockerbie bombing; and if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response. [7026]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Secretary-General of the Arab League referred the joint letter from the league and the Organisation of African Unity to the United Nations Security Council. The Governments of the United Kingdom, France and the United States have replied to that letter. I have made a copy available to my hon. Friend, and it is also available to the House.
The Security Council renewed the sanctions on 10 July. It is still our view, as was made clear in the joint letter, that the sanctions should remain in being until the Security Council resolutions have been complied with.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat did President Mandela say to the Prime Minister last Thursday about Libyan sanctions and Lockerbie?
§ The Prime MinisterPresident Mandela did indeed raise the issue of Libya and sanctions. He made the point that the Organisation of African Unity has made. The organisation wants the sanctions to be lifted. Our view, however, is and remains that, if the sanctions are to be lifted, it is important for the Security Council resolutions to be complied with. We believe that that is right, and we reject the case that is made that a fair trial of the Libyan suspects cannot be held in Scotland.