BREAKING NEWS

US aims to release up to $1.5 billion Libyan assets

WASHINGTON - The United States is seekingto release between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in frozen Libyanassets to the Libyan rebels' Transitional National Council,State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Tuesday.

Nuland also said it was clear the Gaddafi regime has nearlycollapsed and that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke toUN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday about how the UNcould give Libya humanitarian relief, security assistance ifrequested and support on matters such as constitution-writing.