Libya Completes the First Phase of Chemical Weapons Destruction

Inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have verified through on-site, continuous monitoring the complete destruction of the unfilled aerial bombs declared by the Libyan Government as one component of its chemical weapons arsenal.

Over 3,300 aerial bombs, specifically designed to disperse chemical warfare agent, have been individually inventoried, then irreversibly destroyed under stringent international verification at the destruction site throughout the period of the destruction campaign. The destruction process was undertaken between 27 February and 3 March 2004. Bulldozers were used to crush the bomb casings.

On 20 February 2004, the Libyan authorities submitted to the OPCW a partial declaration of their chemical weapons stockpiles. In full compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, the Libyan authorities will now submit their complete initial declaration to OPCW Director-General, Mr Rogelio Pfirter, on Friday, 5 March 2004.

The complete initial declaration will detail the contents of the entire Libyan chemical weapons arsenal, any chemical weapons production capacity, any relevant industrial activities, as well as a plan for the destruction of all chemical weapons and their production capacity. According to the Chemical Weapons Convention, all States Parties must destroy all declared chemical weapons by 29 April 2007. A one-time five-year extension can be granted upon request by the Conference of the States Parties.

OPCW Director-General Pfirter, in assessing the continuing progress in Libyan chemical weapons destruction, noted, “Libya has completed this first step in the destruction process well in advance of the deadline stipulated by the Chemical Weapons Convention. Libya is also expected to deliver its full initial declaration on Friday, 5 March 2004, precisely on deadline. The swift and cooperative spirit of compliance on the part of the Libyan authorities is an encouraging sign that will undoubtedly assist the OPCW to provide impartial verification of their compliance.”

07/2004

Categories: Africa, Disarmament