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Disarmament Commissioner offers assistance in securing and destroying weapons arsenals in Libya
During Libya's civil war alarming quantities of weapons and munitions stockpiled by the Gaddafi regime were plundered. Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle sent Disarmament Commissioner Nikel travelled to Libya to step up cooperation with the country's new authorities and explore further scope for collaboration.
Remnants of landmines and other warfare agents continue to pose a threat to the people in Libya
© FSD
Remnants of landmines and other warfare agents continue to pose a threat to the people in Libya
Remnants of landmines and other warfare agents continue to pose a threat to the people in Libya
© FSD
“Munitions in the wrong hands and unsecured weapons pose a grave threat to Libya and the region,” Westerwelle noted. This meant everything possible needed to be done to secure the country's weapons arsenals and if necessary destroy them. The Foreign Minister is keen to take the issue up with the Libyan authorities and offer German assistance here. The prevailing insecurity in the country risks undermining also the stability of neighbouring states. That is why both Libya’s National Transitional Council and the international community see action to address this situation as a top priority.
Ambassador Rolf Nikel, the Federal Government Commissioner for Disarmament and Arms Control was in Libya from 20 to 22 February to evaluate the situation and visit various projects on the ground. He is in contact both with the Libyan authorities and representatives of the UN mission in the country. The purpose of his talks with the Libyan authorities was to find out more about the situation in the country as well as to sound out what kinds of emergency aid are needed and to explore the possibility of German assistance in the disarmament sector.
On 20 February Ambassador Nikel visited a centre that trains mobile teams in the detection and destruction of small arms, munitions and mines. On 21 February he had talks with the Libyan authorities to discuss the scope for cooperation in securing and destroying the country’s stockpiles of chemical weapons. On the final day of his trip the Commissioner visited a nuclear research establishment near Tripoli to discuss what assistance Germany could provide in securing radioactive waste.
The talks will pave the way for intensified cooperation between Germany and Libya on the securing and destruction of landmines as well as the country’s remaining chemical weapons stockpiles and nuclear materials.
Last updated 24.02.2012