Ten US-Iranian aid organisations have asked the US Treasury to temporarily lift sanctions on Iran to allow money to be sent to earthquake victims.

BBC: Aid groups in sanctions plea for Iran quake relief

PARIS, France -- France says it will no longer oppose a U.N. resolution to lift sanctions on Libya after UTA bomb victims' families reached a deal, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said.

CNN: France 'stops blocking Libya deal'

Although there have been rampant rumours that American oil firms are continuing to do business with Iran through middlemen and front companies, the firms are putting increasing pressure on Washington to lift the sanctions officially.

ECONOMIST: Iran

The quest to lift stringent sanctions is a key issue for Mr Maliki on his US trip, says the BBC's Jon Donnison, in Washington, adding that the Iraqi prime minister visited the US on Wednesday morning to press his case.

BBC: Iraq and US vow renewed alliance

Security Council's decision to lift sanctions against the Central Bank of Libya and two other entities on December 16, 2011.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

Iraq suspended cooperation with UNSCOM on October 31, as part of its campaign to get the United Nations to lift the strict sanctions it imposed after Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

CNN: Chief U.N. weapons inspector wants Iraqi documents