EU to unfreeze Libya assets once UN approves

BRUSSELS - The European Union's foreign policy chief says the 27-nation bloc is preparing to unfreeze Libyan assets quickly once the United Nations gives its approval.

Catherine Ashton said Tuesday that Libya's transitional administration will need funds to make sure public sector workers are paid, stores have sufficient supplies and the economy can be developed again.

Ashton says that Libyan rebels currently control about 80 percent of Tripoli.

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She adds that EU nations were also looking to provide aid, medical supplies and fuel needed in the capital.

She says that she will travel to New York Friday to discuss the strategy on Libya with officials from the Arab League, the African Union and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation under the auspices of the U.N.