AMSTERDAM - The Dutch government agreed on Monday to release 100 million euros ($141 million) in funds frozen 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 supplies are putting lives at risk during the conflict and has called for the release of blocked funds to help supply the medicines. Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal said the Netherlands released the funds in response to a direct appeal from the WHO. He said the Netherlands was the first country to free up Libyan funds in this way.The Netherlands has in total frozen 3 billion euros in Libyan funds linked to the Libyan Foreign Bank.
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)