Arms’ proliferation: A major problem for Dbeibeh’s gov’t in Libya

Mustafa Kamel

The proliferation of arms is proving a major problem for the government of new Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh.

The same problem is a stumbling block on the road to bringing stability back to Libya.

This problem finds its roots in 2011 when unrest started to reign in this North African country.

Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamad al-Manfi, has called on the international community to honor its commitments to Libya, including by preventing interference in his country’s internal affairs and banning the export of arms to Libya.

Landmines

A United Nations official wondered recently at the enormity of arms’ proliferation in Libya. The official said he had not seen this extent of arms in one country over his professional life of 40 years.

The official noted that spending on ammunitions is rising in Libya. He pointed to the threats posed by the presence of landmines in different parts of the country.

He warned against the adverse ramifications for the presence of these landmines and the proliferation of arms.

The Libyan people, the official said, bear the brunt of these problems alone.

Exploitation

Observers warn, meanwhile, against the effects of the spread of arms on security around Libya.

The presence of these arms, they said, would empower militant groups.

The same observers said that apart from threatening Libya’s security, the proliferation of arms also threatens the security of Libya’s neighboring countries.

Challenge

Libya is also proving a security challenge for Europe. Politico magazine referred to a recent visit to Libya by the foreign ministers of Italy, France and Germany.

The magazine also referred to other recent visits to the Libyan capital by other European senior officials.

The magazine called on European policy-makers to help the new government in Libya regain security and stability across the North African state.