Pretoria - South Africa has agreed with the decision that will see the release of $1.5 billion of frozen Libyan assets, which are expected to be used for emergency assistance to the crisis-hit country.
The decision was reached on Thursday as a means of getting around a vote on the matter at the United Nations Security Council.
Led by the United States, a draft resolution has been circulated at the UNSC, which required a vote to unfreeze the assets, and in so doing, circumvent the sanctions committee on Libya that would have required the consent of all 15 council members.
South Africa had expressed hesitation about releasing the funds, based purely on the question of who the legitimate authority in Libya is at this time, because the National Transitional Council (NTC) has not been recognised as the legitimate authority in Libya.
To win South African approval, Washington agreed to modify the wording of the deal. Instead of asking that the funds be released specifically to the NTC, the agreement says they will be designated for what is being called the relevant authorities in Libya.
"South Africa has always supported the approach of the African Union to pursue an all-inclusive peaceful political solution to the Libyan crisis and rejects any narrative towards regime change.
"Consequently, after intensive negotiations, the United States withdrew any reference to the NTC in their letter requesting the unfreezing of the assets, thus excluding any form of recognition of the NTC through this proposal.
"With these changes, after consultations within the AU and considering that the interests of the Libyan people are paramount, South Africa agreed to the release of these funds," International Relations' spokesperson, Clayson Monyela said in a statement on Friday.
South Africa hopes that the funds released by the Security Council will contribute towards easing the humanitarian situation and will be used directly for the benefit of the people of Libya as they embark on a difficult and yet necessary road towards and an all-inclusive transition to peace, unity and democracy.
The US maintains that the money will be used for critical humanitarian and other assistance to the Libyan people, such as health care.
According to the White House, the funds will be divided into three key portions.
Up to $500 million will be transferred swiftly to meet unfulfilled UN appeal requests responding to the needs of the Libyan people, including critical assistance to displaced Libyans, and for Libya and other humanitarian needs as they are identified by the UN or other international or humanitarian organizations.
The other transfer, about $500 million, will be to suppliers for fuel and other goods for strictly civilian purposes, such as paying for fuel costs, hospitals, electricity and desalinisation.
Another transfer of about $500 million will be used to address food and other humanitarian needs.
Monyela said South Africa has always supported the approach of the African Union to pursue an all-inclusive peaceful political solution to the Libyan crisis and rejects any narrative towards regime change.
He said the government would continue to support the people of Libya in meeting their aspirations for democracy, justice, peace and security.
"For sustainable peace to be achieved, it is critical that the Libyans themselves assume full ownership of their future."
Libya has been the scene of intense fighting between regime troops and revolutionary fighters since a revolution seeking to topple the country's dictator Muammar Gaddafi broke out in mid-February.
