DUBAI // The US will soon release an initial US$1.5billion (Dh3.6bn) in frozen Libyan assets to the rebel government, its ambassador to the UAE says.
A release of an as yet unknown amount of Libyan dinars by the UK was also imminent, Aref Ali Nayed, who also serves as the chief executive of the opposition's stabilisation team, said yesterday.
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"The legal work is being completed to that end," Dr Nayed said. "This will be very helpful for the first injection to get us off the ground because it is very difficult now financially."
Several nations had pledged in the six-month revolution to transfer billions of dollars in frozen assets from the regime of Col Muammar Qaddafi to the opposition, but have yet to do so due to UN sanctions and legal issues.
The rebel leadership has repeatedly pressed for the funds to pay for food, fuel and other supplies. It hopes to receive full recognition by the UN at a meeting of its General Assembly next month, and thus the right to access the funds.
Dr Nayed played down confusion over Col Qaddafi's son Saif Al Islam, who rebels had said was arrested but who later met journalists, casting doubt on the reliability of the rebels' information.
"Maybe there are mistakes but never has it been intended," he said.
chuang@thenational.ae
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The biog
Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives.
The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast.
As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau
He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker.
If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now