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UN offers to help Angolan govt
15/05/2008 21:56 - (SA)
Luanda - The United Nations has offered to help the Angolan government in a massive disarmament programme ahead of elections scheduled for September, the state news agency reported on Thursday.
After holding talks with senior officials in Luanda, the UN's high representative for disarmament was quoted by Angop as saying that said the government had "shown a lot of interest" in the offer.
"We are certainly ready to co-operate with the wishes of the authorities," Sergio Duarte added.
Angola's government in March approved a plan to collect weapons that remain in civilian hands six years on from the end of a 27-year civil war as part of efforts to ensure the landmark parliamentary elections pass off peacefully.
The number of weapons in circulation is unknown, but many AK-47 rifles were distributed among civilians by state agents in 1992 after failed elections which saw the country slide back into conflict after a brief lull.
Under Angolan law, only police and members of the armed forces can now bear arms.
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