U.S.-Libya Claims Settlement Agreement

Today, the United States and Libya signed a comprehensive claims settlement agreement. According to the State Department press release:

The agreement is designed to provide rapid recovery of fair compensation for American nationals with terrorism-related claims against Libya. It will also address Libyan claims arising from previous U.S. military actions. The agreement is being pursued on a purely humanitarian basis and does not constitute an admission of fault by either party. Rather, pursuant to the agreement an international Humanitarian Settlement Fund will be established in Libya to collect the necessary resources for the claims on both sides. No U.S. appropriated funds will be contributed, and any contributions by private parties will be voluntary. Each side will be responsible for distributing the resources it receives to its own nationals and to ensure the dismissal of any related court actions.

On August 4th, the President signed the Libyan Claims Resolution Act, which established the U.S. domestic legal mechanisms that would be necessary for the successful implementation of the claims agreement signed today.