Libya compensation hint 'unclear'

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It still remains to be seen whether or not Libya intends to pay compensation to the relatives of IRA victims, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson has said.

Mr Donaldson was responding to reports in the Independent newspaper that Libya had been discussing compensation with the British government.

However, Mr Donaldson said the Libyan authorities may just be "posturing".

Libya supplied the IRA with arms and large quantities of explosives during the Troubles.

"There are hints here from the Libyan government, but I wouldn't put it any more strongly than that at this stage," the Lagan Valley MP said.

"We are looking for something much more definitive from Tripoli than just a hint that compensation might be paid.

Mr Donaldson, who is hoping to travel to Libya with some of the relatives in the autumn, said they had yet to hear anything from the country's leadership.

"We have been discussing the issue with our own government," he said.

"We had a meeting with the prime minister earlier this year and we are meeting officials from the Foreign Office on Thursday to discuss the case for compensation.

"We have also been seeking a meeting with the Libyan ambassador in London, so hopefully that will shed a bit more light on the the position of the Libyan government.

"It remains to be seen whether what we are reading in the Independent represents a breakthrough, or if it's posturing on the part of Libya."

Libya's Secretary for International Co-operation Mohammed Siala told the newspaper that the issue of compensation had been discussed with London.

When asked about the Libyan government's position regarding the claim, he said: "It is a special case. We have a good understanding with the UK."

However, Mr Siala said no firm agreement had been reached.

"Things have not matured yet," he added.

Al Megrahi received a hero's welcome when he returned to Libya

During the Troubles, Libya supplied guns and explosives to the IRA and the families want the country to face up to its responsibilities.

They are calling on the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to demonstrate the same compassion shown to Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset Ali Al Megrahi.

Al Megrahi, who is terminally-ill with cancer, was released from a Scottish prison last month.

Libya was once a sponsor of worldwide terrorism, but the country and its leader have come in from the cold.

In 2003, it took responsibility for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, which claimed 270 lives, mostly American. It also abandoned efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Five years later, Colonel Gaddafi reached a final compensation agreement with the US over Lockerbie and other bombings.