Libya Submits Initial Chemical Weapons Declaration

Today in The Hague, in full and timely compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, a high-level delegation representing the Libyan Government has submitted a complete initial declaration of all chemical weapons, chemical weapons production capacity and relevant, declarable commercial industrial activity to OPCW Director-General, Mr Rogelio Pfirter.

The declared Libyan chemical weapons stockpile consists of approximately 23 metric tons of mustard gas. In addition, one inactivated chemical weapons production facility, as well as two chemical weapons storage facilities have been declared. No filled munitions have been declared. As of 3 March 2004, the OPCW’s inspectors verified through continuous on-site monitoring the complete destruction of Libya’s entire declared stockpile of unfilled munitions.

In addition, as foreseen by the Convention, the Libyan delegation has provided a destruction plan for these weapons and production facilities for the review of the Executive Council, a policy-making body comprised of 41 States Parties to the Convention, representing the full membership of the Organisation. The Executive Council will review these documents at its next session, commencing 23 March 2004.

By declaring the extent of its chemical weapons programme and any relevant commercial industrial activity declarable under the Convention, the Libyan Government has now fulfilled one its most important initial obligations, which facilitates the inspection and verification of these declarations. The OPCW will begin conducting inspections at all declared sites and facilities in Libya shortly.

OPCW Director-General, Mr Rogelio Pfirter, summarized the disarmament developments thus far, stating, “By voluntarily submitting a full and accurate declaration that will be carefully scrutinized by all States Parties, Libya is fully complying with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. This is good for Libya, the region and the international community since it strengthens this multilateral disarmament regime and represents a tangible step towards the ultimate elimination of these weapons of mass destruction.”

After the review and approval of the OPCW Executive Council, the final destruction process under international verification will begin in Libya. The complete destruction of Libya’s chemical weapons and the capacity to produce them must be completed by 29 April 2007.

08/2004

Categories: Africa, Disarmament, Non-proliferation of chemical weapons