AMSTERDAM - The Dutch government agreed onMonday to release 100 million euros ($141 million) in fundsfrozen from Muammar Gaddafi's government for the World Health Organization to buy medicine for the Libyan population.
The WHO has said shortages of medicines and medical suppliesare putting lives at risk during the conflict and has called forthe release of blocked funds to help supply the medicines.
Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal said the Netherlandsreleased the funds in response to a direct appeal from the WHO.He said the Netherlands was the first country to free up Libyanfunds in this way.
The Netherlands has in total frozen 3 billion euros inLibyan funds linked to the Libyan Foreign Bank.