Libya stops its WMD plan

2003-12-20 07:12

Tripoli - Libyan leader Muammar Ghadafi says his country has taken "a wise decision and a courageous step" to rid itself of weapons of mass destruction and to accept international inspections to ensure the prohibited arms and programmes to develop and use them no longer exist.

Gadhafi's statement followed an announcement by Libya's foreign ministry that it had agreed after talks with the US and Britain to rid itself of internationally banned weapons and adhere to treaties on nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

While President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that Gadhafi had bowed to pressure to halt his nation's drive to develop chemical and nuclear weapons, Libya claimed it had acted of "its own free will" in order to serve as an inspiration for the rest of the world.

Gadhafi said his country wants to lead by example "in building a new world free of weapons of mass destruction and all kinds of terrorism, with the aim of preserving international peace and security and progress for humanity."

Gadhafi, who came to power when a 1969 military coup overthrew Libya's monarchy, said that ridding the world of weapons of mass destruction would also help promote "popular democracy" and to "meet ecological challenges so that the colour green will prevail all over the globe."

The foreign ministry statement maintained that Libya had long advocated such a move by seeking to turn the Middle East and Africa "into a region free of weapons of mass destruction."

However, this statement added, Libya's call "did not receive serious response ... so Libya endeavoured to develop its defence capabilities."

Example

It also said Libya wanted to serve as an example to other countries in the Middle East "without exception" - an apparent reference to Israel, which has long been believed to possess nuclear weapons.

Rhetoric aside, the Libyan statements boiled down to the same essentials as the announcements in the United States and Britain:

Libyan weapons experts had met with US and British weapons experts to discuss Libya's weapons programmes, stockpiles of materials and equipment, and development plans.

These included studies to develop chemical weapons.

Libya agrees to transparency, including accepting immediate international monitoring.

Libya "confirms that it will adhere to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty," negotiate a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear agency, and will undertake a new agreement concerning biological weapons.

The foreign ministry statement said that Libya "decided by its own free will to get rid of these materials, equipment and programs and to be completely free of internationally prohibited weapons."

Libya "believes that the arms race does not serve its security and the region's security," the statement said, adding that the Libyan government is eager "to see a world that enjoys peace and security."

- AP