Libya has not signed
the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. In October 1998, the Libyan representative stated to
the UN General Assembly that the treaty was a significant step, but that
“implementation of the instrument should be global and should also address
the question of demining.... Libya [requires] technical assistance for demining
efforts.”[1]
Libya attended several of the treaty preparatory diplomatic meetings, as well
as the Oslo negotiations, but only as an observer in each case. Libya did not
endorse the pro-treaty Brussels Declaration in June 1997. Libya was absent for
the pro-ban 1996 and 1997 UN General Assembly resolutions, and was one of only
nineteen nations to abstain on the 1998 UNGA resolution welcoming new
signatories to the treaty and urging its full implementation. Libya is not a
state party to the 1980 Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling, and Use
Libya is not known to have produced or exported
antipersonnel mines. Libya has imported mines, presumably mostly from the
former Soviet Union.[2] Mines
found in Libya include PDM-1M, PMN, and POMZ-2 types. The size and composition
of Libya’s antipersonnel mine stockpile is unknown.
Libya planted mines during its 1977 war with Egypt. Palestinian refugees now
camped in Libya have encountered these
landmines.[3] Libya also
planted mines from 1977 to 1987 in its conflict with Chad. Libya has used
landmines as well for perimeter defense around both economically-important sites
and military bases.
Landmine Problem
Libya is mined in the regions south of the
Sahara, as well as in Benghazi. In addition, the beaches on the Gulf of Sidra
and its borders with Egypt and countries to the south are known to be
mined.[4] Estimates of the
number of landmines in Libya vary. The U.S. State Department says that there are
approximately 100,000 mines on Libya’s territory, the majority of which
are World War II-era German, British, U.S., and Italian
mines.[5] Libyan officials have
stated that there are “millions of landmines buried in
Libya.”[6]
Mine Awareness and Clearance
Libya has slowly begun to address its landmine
problem. The Libyan People’s Army has carried out some demining, but lack
of maps and technical expertise has hampered efforts. Libya has begun removing
mines from the Benghazi region as well as from the Sahara region. While the
clearance of the Benghazi region benefits local civilians there, the clearance
of parts of the Sahara facilitate natural gas exploration. Libya signed an
agreement with Italy in July 1997 to receive financial and technical aid for
demining and to map known minefields for future clearance efforts. A joint
Libyan-Italian fund would be established to finance the rehabilitation of
affected areas and the training of specialists to treat affected
people.[7]
Libya’s agriculture ministry estimates that the removal of mines buried
on arable land will cost approximately 161.14 million dinars. The ministry
estimates the loss of earnings from the non-use of mined arable lands to be
about 511.47 million dinars, while it estimates the loss from non-use of mined
grazing lands to pastures to be about 124.55 million dinars.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has distributed
information kits on landmines to authorities in the North Africa region,
although no specifics regarding Libya are
known.[8]
Landmine Casualties
Libya has recorded a total of 11,845 landmine
victims including 6,749 deaths. The break-down below was compiled by Libyan
police.[9]
[1] Statement by Ibrahim
Al-Besbas to the United Nations General Assembly, Press Release, GA/DIS/3116, 20
October 1998.
[2] U.S. Department of
State, Hidden Killers: The Global Problem with Uncleared Landmines, 1993,
p. 118.
[3] “Stranded
Palestinians Face New Danger from Mines,” Reuters, 27 October
1995.
[4] U.S. Department of State,
Hidden Killers: The Global Problem with Uncleared Landmines, 1993, p.
118.
[5] U.S. Department of State,
Hidden Killers: The Global Landmine Crisis, 1998, p. A-2.
[6] Statement by Ibrahim
Al-Besbas to the UNGA, Press Release, GA/DIS/3116, 20 October 1998.
[7]Assembly Discusses
International Mine Clearance Efforts, Urging Member States to Provide Resources
and Information to Strengthen UN Mine Action Ability, Press Release GA/9505,
Statement by Isa Babaa to the United Nations General Assembly, 17 November
1998.
[8] International Committee
of the Red Cross, Annual Report 1996: Tunis, Regional Delegation (Algeria,
Libya, Mauritania, Morocco/Western Sahara, Tunisia), 1 June 1997.
[9] Cited in United Nations,
Country Report: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, at
http://www.un.org/Depts/Landmine/country/libyanar.htm.
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