Warning over missing arms in Libya

UN envoy tells of several looted weapons depots.

TRIPOLI // 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 in an interview yesterday.

Preventing more weapons from being smuggled out of country will be difficult, considering the nature of the vast desert nation's borders, the envoy, Ian Martin, said.

"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 neighbours with that, but I am afraid there is not a quick and easy solution to that problem."

During the chaos of Libya's 8-month civil war, human-rights groups and reporters came across a number of weapons depots that were left unguarded and were looted after Muammar Qaddafi's fighters fled.

Mr Martin said the unsecured weapons remain a "very, very serious cause for concern". He said they include shoulder-held missiles, mines and ammunition.

"It's clear that much has already gone missing from unsecured locations and that there are still locations which have not been properly secured," he said.

Mr 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 Qaddafi 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," Mr Martin said of the latest discoveries, noting that the main issue is now how to dispose of them.

The Qaddafi 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 Mr Martin is designed to help Libya's interim leaders with the 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.