Africa: Libya calls for conference on risks of looted weapons

Addis Ababa, 30 Jan. (AKI) - Libyan prime minister Abdurrahim al-Keib has called for an international security conference on regional weapons proliferation following last week's United Nations report about the risks from large-scale looting of weapons from his country's military weapons depots during last year's civil war that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

"(There is) still a real threat from some of the armed remnants of the former regime who escaped outside the country and still roam freely. This is a threat for us, for neighbouring countries and our shared relations," Keib told African Union leaders in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

"My country calls for a regional security conference in Libya of interior and defence ministers of neighboring countries," he told the meeting.

The UN report published Thursday said armed groups like Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram in African countries like Niger, Chad and Nigeria could have access to large arms.

During the civil war journalists and human rights organisations reported on looted weapons depots that were left unguarded after soldiers loyal to Gaddafi fled.