Security Council authorizes countries to help Libya destroy chemical weapons
Following a request from the main international organization working to achieve a world free of chemical weapons, the United Nations Security Council today adopted a resolution authorizing the transfer of such weapons out of Libya for their safe, timely destruction.
By the text, the 15-member Council decided to "authorize Member States to acquire, control, transport, transfer and destroy chemical weapons [...] to ensure the elimination of Libya's chemical weapons stockpile in the soonest and safest manner."
The Council's action followed a decision on 20 July by the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that called for international assistance to help Libya's national unity government expedite the destruction of its remaining Category 2 chemical weapons "outside of Libya."
Endorsing the OPCW Executive Council decision, the Council through its resolution encouraged Member States to "assist the Government of National Accord in providing support, including personnel, technical expertise, information, equipment, and financial and other resources [...] to enable the OPCW to implement the elimination of Libya's Category 2 chemical weapons safely and in the soonest practicable timescale."
Further, the Council requested regular reporting from OPCW Director-General on its activities in this matter until the destruction of the remaining chemical weapons is complete and verified.
In a statement, OPCW Director-General, Ahmet Üzümcü, welcomed the Council resolution to extend international assistance to Libya.
"We will work with Libya and those countries able to provide support to ensure that this threat has been permanently eliminated," he said.
