UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council allowed on Friday release of $1.5 billion in frozen Libyan assets, held by the US, to assist in delivering humanitarian aid and other basic services to people in the war-torn country.

The decision came after the US and South Africa reached a deal which prevented the council from having to vote on a draft resolution that the US had submitted on the issue on Thursday following South Africas reluctance to release funds.

South Africa had expressed objections over two of the three $500 million portions of the funds going to the TNC, when it said they had not yet recognised the TNC as the sole, legal representative of the Libyan people.

After negotiations appeared to stall, the United States moved the request out of the consensus-required sanctions committee to the Security Council, where it could override South Africas objections with nine votes in favour of a resolution on release of the funds, and no vetoes.

But in the end, a resolution was not required when the United States agreed to modify the language in its request in exchange for South Africas agreement.

Now, instead of asking that the funds be designated for the Transitional National Council, they will be for the “relevant authorities” in Libya.

US officials said the money should be in the TNC’s hands in a matter of days.

South African Ambassador Baso Sangqu said his country did not want to imply recognition of the TNC prematurely. He told reporters that Pretoria wanted to consult with the African Union, which was meeting in the Ethiopian capital. “My delegation had opportunity to consult at the AU in Addis Ababa and then the green light came that we should go ahead.”