UN Envoy: Much of Libya’s Weaponry Already Looted

Says Missing Missiles a 'Very, Very Serious Cause for Concern'

In an interview today with the Associated Press, UN envoy to Libya Ian Martin cautioned that many of Libya’s weapons depots still aren’t being properly secured, and that many of the sites remain virtually unguarded.

This is at least somewhat moot, according to Martin, since much of the weaponry there has already been looted and there’s no way to prevent it from being smuggled out of the country, given its massive desert borders.

Reports about the weapons have been cropping up for awhile, and anti-aircraft missiles have shown up on the various foreign arms bazaars across the region. Several militant factions are said to be keen to acquire them.

New Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib expressed concern about the weapons, and said it proved creating a new military for his regime was a “top priority.” He said a reconciliation including “punishing the guilty” was his regime’s top priority.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.