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Libya to destroy chemical weapons as of Feb. 27

PLA Daily 2004-02-27

BRUSSELS. Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Libya will begin to destroy over 3300 unfilled bombs intended for delivery of chemical weapons on Feb. 27, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced Thursday.

The "irreversible" destruction of these unfilled chemical munitions is planned to be completed by March 5, 2004, said the Hague-based organization.

An OPCW press release said the destruction of the bombs will be done "under the OPCW verification regime and in accordance with a detailed plan for verification of destruction of these weapons as agreed between the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW and the Libyan authorities".

OPCW inspectors presently in Libya will carry out an inventory of all munitions prior to destruction, according to the OPCW.

Destruction operations will be conducted subsequently under stringent international verification with the continuous presence of OPCW inspectors at the destruction facility throughout the period of the destruction campaign.

"This is a very positive step and a confirmation of Libya's intention to actually get rid of prohibited weapons," said OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter.

Earlier on Feb. 20, the Libyan authorities submitted to the OPCW a partial initial declaration of their chemical weapons stockpiles, vowing to submit a complete declaration by March 5, 2004.

By then, the OPCW will receive the remainder of the initial declaration from Libya, following which it will develop the plans for the destruction of all remaining chemical weapons and related facilities in Libya.

On Jan. 6 this year, Libya deposited its instrument of accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention.