Odishatv Bureau
United Nations: The UN Security Council has asked Libyan authorities to take action for safe-keeping of arms and missiles in the newly liberated North African country to ensure that the chemical weapons do not fall into the hands of terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda.

In a resolution adopted unanimously on Tuesday, the 15-member council authorised its committee on Libyan sanctions to draw up proposals on how to keep stockpiles of arms and material away from terrorist groups. The resolution voiced concern about the proliferation of arms in the region, especially man-portable surface-to-air missiles or MANPADS.

The text said Libyan authorities must take "all necessary steps to prevent the proliferation of all arms
and related material of all types, in particular man-portable surface-to-air missiles, to ensure their
proper custody, as well as to meet Libya`s arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation obligations under international law."

Council members called on Libyan authorities to work closely with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with the aim of destroying the country`s stockpiles of
chemical weapons. In addition, the resolution called on other states in the region to help ensure non-proliferation of such weapons.

The committee, set up after sanctions were imposed earlier this year, was asked "to assess the threats and challenges, in particular related to terrorism, posed by the proliferation of all arms and related materiel of all types."

A report will be prepared by the committee on preventing proliferation, as well as on how to ensure
that any stockpiles are managed safely and securely, that border controls are strengthened and
transport security boosted.

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