Missing weapons a problem in Libya
Source: Agencies |
November 7, 2011, Monday
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SOME weapons depots in Libya have still not been secured properly, and "much has already gone missing" from unguarded sites, the top UN envoy in Libya said yesterday.
Preventing more weapons from being smuggled out of country will be difficult, considering the nature of the vast desert nation's borders, said the envoy, Ian Martin.
"That has to be a priority now, to secure what still remains in Libya," he said. "Over time, the international community can assist Libya and its neighbors with that, but I am afraid there is not a quick and easy solution."
During the chaos of Libya's eight-month civil war, human rights groups and reporters encountered several weapons depots that were left unguarded and looted after Moammar Gadhafi's fighters fled.
Martin said the unsecured weapons remain a "very, very serious cause for concern." He said they include shoulder-held missiles, mines and ammunition.
Progress cited
Martin noted progress concerning chemical weapons and nuclear material. Last week, Libyan officials said they discovered two new sites with chemical weapons that had not been declared by the Gadhafi regime when it vowed several years ago to stop pursuing non-conventional weapons. Officials also said they found about 7,000 drums of raw uranium.
"That, too, has been secured," Martin said of the latest discoveries, noting that the main issue is now how to dispose of them.
The Gadhafi regime fell with the capture and killing of the dictator on October 20, followed by a declaration of liberation by Libya's new leadership three days later.
The UN mission headed by Martin is meant to help Libya transition to democracy.
By late June, Libyans are scheduled to elect a national assembly that would oversee the drafting of a constitution, followed by parliamentary and presidential elections.
The National Transitional Council last week appointed a new prime minister, who is to form a government by mid-month. Some Libyan officials have called for a faster transition, warning of a dangerous power vacuum.
Martin said accelerating the elections "is going to be quite difficult, but depends first and foremost on the speed with which they can reach the political decisions, and we can't determine that."
Preventing more weapons from being smuggled out of country will be difficult, considering the nature of the vast desert nation's borders, said the envoy, Ian Martin.
"That has to be a priority now, to secure what still remains in Libya," he said. "Over time, the international community can assist Libya and its neighbors with that, but I am afraid there is not a quick and easy solution."
During the chaos of Libya's eight-month civil war, human rights groups and reporters encountered several weapons depots that were left unguarded and looted after Moammar Gadhafi's fighters fled.
Martin said the unsecured weapons remain a "very, very serious cause for concern." He said they include shoulder-held missiles, mines and ammunition.
Progress cited
Martin noted progress concerning chemical weapons and nuclear material. Last week, Libyan officials said they discovered two new sites with chemical weapons that had not been declared by the Gadhafi regime when it vowed several years ago to stop pursuing non-conventional weapons. Officials also said they found about 7,000 drums of raw uranium.
"That, too, has been secured," Martin said of the latest discoveries, noting that the main issue is now how to dispose of them.
The Gadhafi regime fell with the capture and killing of the dictator on October 20, followed by a declaration of liberation by Libya's new leadership three days later.
The UN mission headed by Martin is meant to help Libya transition to democracy.
By late June, Libyans are scheduled to elect a national assembly that would oversee the drafting of a constitution, followed by parliamentary and presidential elections.
The National Transitional Council last week appointed a new prime minister, who is to form a government by mid-month. Some Libyan officials have called for a faster transition, warning of a dangerous power vacuum.
Martin said accelerating the elections "is going to be quite difficult, but depends first and foremost on the speed with which they can reach the political decisions, and we can't determine that."
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