US Senate extends sanctions law

The US Senate has voted to extend sanctions against Libya and Iran for a further five years.

The vote extends the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which bans foreign firms from making significant investments in the two countries' oil and gas sectors.

The Bush administration had only wanted to extend the Act for two years, arguing that would give the US flexibility to change its policy towards Libya and Iran if necessary.

An extension of the law has been opposed by many European countries which have companies involved in the energy sector.

The bill still needs the approval of President George W Bush.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service