NEW YORK, July 22 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2298 encouraging member states to assist Government of National Accord in providing support to implement the elimination of Libya's chemical weapons safely and in the soonest practicable timescale.
Determining that the potential for acquisition by non-State actors of chemical weapons in Libya represents a threat to international peace and security, the UK drafted resolution endorsed the decision of the Executive Council of the OPCW on requesting the Director-General to assist Libya in developing a modified plan of destruction of Libya's chemical weapons.
The 15-member body that is led by Japan this month, decided in the resolution to authorize Member States "to acquire, control, transport, transfer and destroy chemical weapons identified by the Director-General of the OPCW, consistent with the objective of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to ensure the elimination of Libya's chemical weapons stockpile in the soonest and safest manner, with appropriate consultations with the Government of National Accord." The newly adopted resolution also requests the Director-General of the OPCW, through the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, to report to the Security Council, on activities related to the implementation of OPCW Executive Council Decision of this resolution on a regular basis until the destruction of the remaining chemical weapons is complete and verified. (end) mao.ibi