THE HAGUE, Netherlands, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A U.N. Security Council decision to refer a case to the International Criminal Court is futile without support for enforcement, the court said Tuesday.
The ICC submitted its annual report Tuesday to the U.N. General Assembly. With cases ranging from former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo to sitting Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on its books, the court said the 2012-13 season was its busiest on record.
The court said it was frustrated, however, with the level of support given to fulfill its mandate, particularly in the case of Libya.
Libyan authorities say they have the right to try Saif al-Islam, late leader Moammar Gadhafi's son, in their own courts, provided the national judicial system was open and functioning.
He's suspected of committing crimes against humanity, including murder, during civil war in 2011. The ICC said it "was not convinced" by Libya's assertions his surrender would create problems for the government.
The court said in its annual report it needed "timely and full cooperation" to ensure justice is served. "Appropriate action" should be taken "in case of non-cooperation," it said.
Libya's transitional government in 2011 welcomed a decision to refer the case the ICC.
