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Libya
Mine Action
Contamination and Impact
Mines
Libya is contaminated with mines as a result of fighting during World War II in North Africa, as well as conflicts with Egypt in 1977 and Chad in 1980–1987. The borders with Chad, Egypt, and Tunisia are said to be affected by mines, as are areas in the north and south of the country. The precise extent and impact of the problem are, however, not known as no nationwide survey has been conducted.[1]
Cluster munition remnants
Contamination may include cluster munition remnants.[2] On 27 November 2009, a German World War II-era “butterfly bomb” was found by an oil company survey crew in Libya. Subsequent survey by an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) expert identified six more such unexploded submunitions.[3]
Other explosive remnants of war
Armed conflicts dating back to World War II have also resulted in significant quantities of other explosive remnants of war (ERW), mainly UXO. Again, the precise extent and impact of the problem are not known.
Mine Action Program
Key institutions and operators
|
Body |
Situation on 1 January 2010 |
|
National Mine Action Authority |
None |
|
Mine action center |
None |
|
International demining operators |
A number of commercial companies, including Mechem and RPS Explosives Engineering Services |
|
National demining operators |
Armed forces Ministry of Interior and Justice’s Civil Protection Unit |
Libya does not yet have a fully fledged mine action program, despite the announcement in 2005 of a “national campaign” to remove landmines along the borders with Egypt and Chad and a conference in November 2008, which sought to support efforts towards establishing a civilian mine action program.[4]
There is not yet a fully functioning national mine action authority or mine action center, although a Libyan organization, the Libyan Demining Association (LDA, formerly known as the Anti-Mines Association), claims to fulfill some of the roles of a mine action center.[5] A National Program for Demining and Land Reclamation, established by the General People’s Committee and headed by the Minister of International Cooperation, is said to be the institution authorized to prepare general plans and policies for mine action in Libya.[6]
UNDP Libya announced a mine action capacity building project for calendar year 2009. The aims of the project were to “develop and modernize the national structures and standards of the Libyan Government and the Anti-Mines Association already in place in order to better address the risk posed by landmines and ERW in Libya.”[7] It was reported that no chief technical advisor was hired, as planned, during 2009.[8]
Land Release
The Ministry of Defense and the Civil Protection Unit, located within the Ministry of Interior and Justice, each have responsibilities for various aspects of mine action. The Ministry of Defense is reported to clear areas serving either a military or civilian development purpose. In previous years, the Civil Protection Unit is said to have carried out clearance in affected communities.[9]
Libya has not reported on land release in 2009 or in previous years.
[1] See, for example, UNDP, “Capacity building to support the Demining Association and the Government of Libya in Mine Action activities,” Project Summary, undated, www.undp-libya.org.
[2] See, for example, Daniel P. Bolger, Americans at War: 1975-1986, An Era of Violent Peace (Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1988), p. 423.
[3] Daily report by Jan-Ole Robertz, EOD Technical Advisor, Countermine Libya, 27 November 2009.
[4] See, for example, UNDP, “UNDP Participates in International Conference on Demining for Development,” undated, www.undp-libya.org.
[5] Email from Abdulmonem Alaiwan, Administration and Public Relations Director, LDA, 22 September 2009.
[6] Ibid, 29 June 2009.
[7] UNDP, “Capacity Building to Support the Demining Association and the Government of Libya in its Demining Activities,” Project summary, undated, www.undp-libya.org.
[8] Email from Abdulmonem Alaiwan, LDA, 15 March 2010.
[9] Interview with Dr. Taher Siala, Assistance Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, in Tripoli, 12 May 2005.
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