25 Sep 2011

Libya appeals at UN for release of assets

7:37 pm on 25 September 2011

De facto Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril of Libya appealed to the United Nations on Saturday for the release of remaining frozen Libyan assets.

"A new Libya is coming to life," he said in the first appearance by Libya's new leadership at the United Nations.

He told the General Assembly that Libya was on a new path to a constitutional democracy and reconstruction.

Mr Jibril asked the UN Security Council to release all remaining Libyan assets. An estimated $US150 billion are frozen under sanctions against Gaddafi.

However, UN diplomats say there are technical problems to resolve before the release of all the assets.

Mr Jibril heads the executive committee of the National Transitional Council which has driven Colonel Muammar Gaddafi from power with support from the West and several Arab nations.

He acknowledged that NTC forces are yet to capture all of Gaddafi's strongholds.

The NTC said on Friday it would unveil a "crisis" government in the next few days. Twenty-two portfolios and a position of vice premier will be announced.