With Gaddafi removed from power and a new chapter beginning for Libya, there are still many questions left to be answered that could hamper the country's new future. The biggest question of all, and a major concern for the UN Security Council is what to do with the massive weapons stockpile amassed under Colonel Gaddafi. With many arms being looted due to the chaos that ensued during the recent uprising, the Security Council is worried these weapons could fall into the hands of Al-Qaeda or other violent militant groups. While many of the weapons were destroyed by NATO, it is unknown how many of Libya's arms are still in circulation.
A resolution put forth by the council calls on neighboring countries to "stamp out the proliferation" of arms and called on the new Libyan government to destroy their chemical weapons. The council is mainly worried about Libya's "shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles" that pose a direct threat to passenger aircraft's.
The proliferation of Libya's weapons comes at a crucial time because although Gaddafi has been overthrown, the country is in transition, and this is when a country is at its weakest. Smuggled and looted arms in the hands of terrorist and militant organizations is very dangerous. Libya may be rid of a corrupt leader, but they still have a long way to go to achieve their desired peace.
Security Council President Joy Ogwu: "When people disarm, peace follows."
-Gabrielle Melton
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