WASHINGTON, Jan 4: President George W. Bush on Saturday extended national emergency against Libya for another year that allows him to retain sanctions already in place against the Arab nation.

The emergency against Libya was first declared by President Ronald Reagan on Jan 7, 1986, following alleged Libyan-inspired attacks on US targets worldwide.

On Jan 8, 1986, President Reagan took additional measures to block Libyan assets in the United States. Since then the emergency is extended every year by the incumbent president.

“The crisis between the United States and Libya that led to the declaration on Jan 7, 1986, of a national emergency has not been resolved,” said Bush.

He claimed that despite the UN Security Council’s suspension of UN sanctions against Libya, it had not yet complied with its other obligations, which include accepting responsibility for the actions of its officials and paying compensation.

“For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared with respect to Libya,” said Bush.