UN hails Libya's decision to voluntarily abandon WMD programs

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, December 24, 2003

UN hails Libya's decision to voluntarily abandon WMD programs

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The United Nations Security Council lauded Tuesday Libya's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and encouraged Tripoli to cooperate with the United Nations in verifying the implementation of its stated commitments.

In a statement, Council President Stefan Tafrov of Bulgaria said council members "warmly welcomed" Libya's announcement and its pledge to address international concerns regarding proliferation of WMD.

"Council members looked forward to the early implementation of all the commitments made in the announcement, including the subjection to urgent international verification," he said.

"Council members welcomed and encouraged Libya's cooperation with others, including the importance of the UN and other relevantinternational bodies, to ensure the verified elimination of all Libya's WMD programs."

Echoing a view expressed earlier this week by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the statement stressed that all countries mustfully implement disarmament treaties and intensify their efforts to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The statement was issued after the council heard a briefing from British and US ambassadors on the two countries' talks with Libya on WMD.

In a communique to the council made public Tuesday, Libya vowed to voluntarily abandon all internationally proscribed arms and their delivery systems while fulfilling its disarmament treaty obligations.

"The arms race is conducive neither to its own security nor to that of the region and runs counter to its strong desire for a world blessed with security and peace," the communique said.

It voiced hope that Libya's actions would serve as a model for others "starting with those in the Middle East."

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