Libya key source for illicit arms, fueling conflicts: U.N. envoy [View all]
Source: Reuters
Libya key source for illicit arms, fueling conflicts: U.N. envoy
By Michelle Nichols
UNITED NATIONS Mon Mar 10, 2014
(Reuters) - U.N. experts say Libya has become a primary source of illicit weapons, including shoulder-fired missiles, which have been trafficked to at least 14 countries and are fueling conflicts on several continents, Rwanda's U.N. envoy said on Monday.
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"The panel noted that the control of non-state armed actors over the majority of stockpiles in Libya as well as ineffective border control systems remained primary obstacles to countering proliferation and that Libya had become a primary source of illicit weapons, including MANPADs," Gasana told the council.
"The panel furthermore noted that investigations relating to transfers to 14 countries reflected a highly diversified range of trafficking dynamics; and that trafficking from Libya was fueling conflict and insecurity - including terrorism - on several continents," he said.
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The rebels have seized three ports and partly control a fourth in the OPEC member country. Officials said on Monday that Libya's parliament has ordered a special force to be sent within one week to "liberate" all rebel-held ports.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/10/us-libya-crisis-un-idUSBREA291OV20140310
MANPADS or MPADS) (man-portable air-defense systems) are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
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