Sen. Graham calls wants Libyan assets freed

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham says the U.S. needs to release frozen Libyan assets and use foreign aid and other means to move that nation forward.

Graham said in a speech Monday to a Columbia Rotary Club that he’s optimistic about Libya’s future because it has plenty of resources and a fairly educated population.

Graham is the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriation Committee that handles foreign operations. He says a cash-strapped United States doesn’t have the luxury of ignoring problems abroad. He said the United States has a chance to help the Libyan people help themselves.

Graham says Libya needs the assets that the U.S. and other nations have frozen so the new government can make changes.

Great Britain said Monday it would release frozen Libyan assets.