The UN Security Council has adopted a Russian-drafted resolution calling on Libya's new authorities and neighboring countries to prevent the spread of weapons from Muammar Gaddafi's arsenals.
The 15-member council unanimously passed Resolution 2017 on Monday amid fears that the weaponry from Gaddafi’s stockpile, especially portable surface-to-air missile systems, could end up in the hands of terrorist groups around the world.
The resolution has urged Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) and all states in the region "to take all necessary steps to prevent the proliferation of all arms.”
The Security Council also called on new Libyan authorities to closely cooperate with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy all existing stockpiles of chemical weapons in the country in line with their international obligations.
Last week, Ian Martin, the top U.N. envoy to Libya, told the UN Security Council that at least two undeclared chemical weapons sites have been located in Libya.
Gaddafi’s regime was overthrown in October by opposition forces with NATO’s assistance after a seven-month civil war. Gaddafi, who ruled the country for almost 42 years, was captured and killed by rebels near his home town of Sirte on October 20.
