TRIPOLI, Libya, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A Libyan official characterized as positive a U.S. decision to keep sanctions in place for now without requiring that they should extend through the whole year.
Foreign Ministry official Hassouna al-Shawish said Thursday the decision "gives the U.S. president a leeway to lift the sanctions any time."
"In that respect, we see the move as positive and understandable," al-Shawish said.
He said the U.S. boycott of Libya deprived U.S. companies of business that was grabbed by European and Asian firms.
"As such, Washington would be punishing itself and harming U.S. companies, not Libya" if the sanctions are allowed to continue indefinitely, he said.
The Libyan official said a normalization of U.S.-Libyan relations was under way and officials from the United States, Libya and Britain will meet soon in London to discuss ties.
Libyan Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem last week predicted in an interview with UPI that Washington would lift the sanctions very soon.
