Lockerbie: Libya responds

The verdicts were read out on Libyan TV

Libyan television announced the verdicts on the Lockerbie suspects with a live report from a correspondent outside the court in Camp Zeist.

Senior Libyan officials later reacted with statements of respect for Scottish justice and a desire to restore relations with the US and Britain.

At the same time, they said, it was time for UN sanctions against Libya finally to be lifted.

Hassunah al-Shawish, assistant Libyan foreign minister for media affairs

• First of all, we respect the judiciary and the law. This verdict, which was issued according to the Scottish law, is not final as far as the defendant who was incriminated is concerned. We have an opportunity to lodge an appeal in accordance with the law.

• As a state, we have nothing to do with this verdict. Two Libyan citizens were charged and the United States and Britain insisted on trying them there. So, the verdict is a judicial ruling, but there are other degrees of litigation. Once this verdict becomes final, we will talk about it.

• According to what was agreed upon and reached with the UN secretary-general, the sanctions should now be completely lifted although they should have been lifted when the two suspects appeared before the court in April 1999. Today, the fact that the sanctions should be lifted completely is indisputable.

• This question, with all its circumstances and consequences, has become history. We are building our relations and have contacts with the United States. We restored our relations with Britain.

Abuzed Omar Dorda, Libya's UN ambassador

• We are now looking forward to UN sanctions being lifted.

• Libya calls on Americans to turn the page on the past. Let's open a new page to the future.

• This case against individuals has nothing to do with Libya as a state. No-one could bring a single piece of evidence to prove that.

Libyan TV presenter

• It is a historic victory never achieved before by the Libyan people against attempts to break its will.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassouna Chiouch

• We extend our hand to the United States to build relations based on mutual respect and benefit for the two parties. Now that the Lockerbie case is behind us, we look forward with interest to improving our relations with the United States in the interests of both countries and of peace worldwide.

• The sanctions imposed on Libya must be lifted completely because the Lockerbie case was used as a pretext to delay their lifting. Now that the court has ended the case, the sanctions must be lifted completely.

Dr Sadiq al-Shibani, Foreign Ministry legal affairs director

• We were hoping that the verdict would result in the acquittal of the Libyan citizens, considering the firm certainty that these two Libyan citizens were accused in an illegal and unsound manner.

• At the same time we would like to stress our full respect for Scottish justice and the reputation it enjoys. The verdict is the rule of justice which must be respected by all the sides involved in the issue.

• The verdict sentencing one of the Libyan citizens does not mean the end, and it is not the end of the world. There is an opportunity for the sentenced citizen to appeal within the next 14 days in accordance with the Scottish judicial system.