Arming Libya
On May 16, Algeria, Chad, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Niger, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, United Nations, the League of Arab States, and the African Union issued a joint communique that noted that Libya's "Government of National Accord has voiced its intention to submit appropriate arms embargo exemption requests" and that "We will fully support these efforts..." Suggesting that arms may again start flowing to that Libyan government.
In comments that day, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated "the international community will support the Presidency Council as it seeks exemption from the UN arms embargo to acquire those weapons and bullets needed to fight Daesh and other terrorist groups."
Shortly following the release of the communique, Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts* provided the following public comments (May 17):
In comments that day, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry stated "the international community will support the Presidency Council as it seeks exemption from the UN arms embargo to acquire those weapons and bullets needed to fight Daesh and other terrorist groups."
Shortly following the release of the communique, Forum on the Arms Trade-listed experts* provided the following public comments (May 17):
Iain Overton Executive Director, Action on Armed Violence
"We know that the Pentagon lost track of about 190,000 AK type assault rifles and pistols in Iraq. We know that it lost track of more than 40 percent of the firearms provided to Afghanistan’s security forces. And we know that the Pentagon is unable to account for more than $500 million in U.S. military aid given to Yemen. What are the chances, then, of a headline in five years time stating that the Pentagon has lost millions of dollars worth of guns in Libya? And then we wonder how Islamic extremist militant groups are so heavily armed."
"We know that the Pentagon lost track of about 190,000 AK type assault rifles and pistols in Iraq. We know that it lost track of more than 40 percent of the firearms provided to Afghanistan’s security forces. And we know that the Pentagon is unable to account for more than $500 million in U.S. military aid given to Yemen. What are the chances, then, of a headline in five years time stating that the Pentagon has lost millions of dollars worth of guns in Libya? And then we wonder how Islamic extremist militant groups are so heavily armed."
Andrew Feinstein Executive Director, Corruption Watch
'The West's provision of arms into Libya has been devastating to the country for years. When NATO airstrikes were launched in support of rebels fighting Colonel Gaddafi, they first had to target weapons, including ground to air missiles, that the West had supplied to Gaddafi. On the dictator's overthrow, the huge number of surplus weapons provided to him soon found their way onto the black market. Will the West never learn that pouring weapons into an existing conflict only results in that conflict becoming bloodier and longer. In addition, many of the weapons supplied inevitably land up in the hands of those the West is fighting."
'The West's provision of arms into Libya has been devastating to the country for years. When NATO airstrikes were launched in support of rebels fighting Colonel Gaddafi, they first had to target weapons, including ground to air missiles, that the West had supplied to Gaddafi. On the dictator's overthrow, the huge number of surplus weapons provided to him soon found their way onto the black market. Will the West never learn that pouring weapons into an existing conflict only results in that conflict becoming bloodier and longer. In addition, many of the weapons supplied inevitably land up in the hands of those the West is fighting."
* Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Institutional affiliation is indicated for identification purposes only. Please contact experts directly for further comments.
