The independent resource on global security

UN arms embargo on Libya

In March 1992 Security Council Resolution 748 established sanctions including an arms embargo on Libya. This sanction was imposed in reaction to Libya not cooperating in investigating the Libyan connection to the bombing of a US civilian airliner over the United Kingdom and a French airliner over Niger as had been demanded in Security Council Resolution 731 of January 1992.

In August 1998, Security Council Resolution 1192 passed, stating that sanctions against Libya would be suspended when the two Libyans accused of the bombing of a US airliner arrived in the Netherlands for trial by a Scottish and when the Libyan Government had satisfied the French judicial authorities with regard to the bombing of the French airliner.

In April 1999 Security Council Presidential Statement S-PRST-1999-10 announced that as the conditions set by Security Council Resolution 1192 were met by Libya all UN sanctions against Libya were suspended but not lifted.

In September 2003 Security Council Resolution 1506 lifted the arms embargo against Libya after Libya, with regard to the bombing of the US and French airliners, had accepted responsibility for the actions of Libyan officials, agreed on payment of appropriate compensation, renounced terrorism, and had committed to cooperating with any further requests for information in connection with the investigation into the bombings.

Last updated on
Embargo type: Mandatory UN embargoes
Entry into force:
Suspended: 5 April 1999
Lifted: 12 September 2003
Establishing document: UNSCR 748