The European Union is considering tightening sanctions on the government of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi

jueves 19 de mayo de 2011

The European Union is considering tightening sanctions on the government of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi by blacklisting ports to prevent exports of oil and imports of fuel, Western diplomatic sources told Reuters.

One source said EU experts have reached an agreement over putting six ports of the OPEC nation -- Tripoli, Zuara, Zawiyah, Al-Khoms, Ras Lanuf and Brega -- on the list and proposals could be submitted to the EU sanctions committee next week.

Another EU diplomat said "a number of EU states" believed it would be a sensible next step, and it was possible it would be discussed by foreign ministers who meet in Brussels on Monday, although it was not formally on the agenda.

Gaddafi's government is seeking to raise fuel imports by using a loophole in international sanctions after two months of western air strikes against Libya.

Civil war has crippled the refining industry and Gaddafi urgently needs fuel imports for his military and to keep civilian vehicles running in the areas he controls.

Reporting by Emma Farge and Dmitry Zhdannikov; additional reporting by Julien Toyer and David Brunnstrom, Editing by Jason Neely)