EU Imposes Arms Embargo and Targeted Sanctions on Libya

On February 28, 2011, the EU’s Council of Ministers adopted Decision 2011/137 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Libya. On March 2, the Council adopted Regulation 204/2011 implementing the EU Decision (the February 28 decision and the March 2 regulation, together, the “EU Sanctions”). The EU Sanctions are limited to named individuals and do not prohibit the conduct of business with Libyan and Libya-controlled entities in general (except for the supply of arms, ammunition and related material and equipment that might be used for internal repression).

The EU Sanctions implement the UN Security Council’s February 26 Resolution on Libya. The EU Sanctions cover 20 individuals not named in the UN Resolution, but they are less restrictive than the U.S. sanctions imposed on February 25, which prohibit transactions with the Government of Libya, the Central Bank of Libya and State-owned or controlled companies. The EU may of course impose further sanctions depending on the evolution of the current unrest in Libya. Meanwhile, EU Member States will take the necessary measures to impose penalties for violations of the EU Sanctions