ID :
173885
Thu, 04/07/2011 - 16:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/173885
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ICRC: WEAPON CONTAMINATION REPRESENTS MAJOR HAZARD FOR LIBYAN CIVILIANS
By Nor Faridah Abd Rashid
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Weapons contamination represents a major hazard for Libya’s civilian population as a result of the ongoing fighting in that country, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.
"We are extremely worried about what we have observed here (Libya) so far. Unexploded ordnance and destroyed armoured vehicles are now very much part of the landscape," said Srdjan Jovanovic, an ICRC weapons contamination specialist.
“The risk for the civilian population is clear, especially as there are many conflict zones in the country," he said in a statement posted on the ICRC website.
Further, the Geneva-based organisation said threats to civilians takes various forms.
Unexploded or abandoned ordnance is strewn throughout areas where fighting has taken place. In addition, munitions stored in the Libyan Army bases in Ajdabiya, Benghazi and Tobruk - which were abandoned in early March - and in other areas in the eastern part of the country, are accessible to the local population, it said.
The ICRC, which has a regional office here said that, adding to the problem, some of the stores exploded, scattering munitions over vast areas.
“Finally, because many armoured fighting vehicles, truck-mounted rocket launchers and other military vehicles have been destroyed in the fighting or by air strikes, unexploded ordnance are frequently found around the destroyed vehicles or inside them in unstable condition,” it added.
According to the ICRC, Libya's struggle against anti-personnel and anti-tank mines dates back to the Second World War and, later, to the conflicts with Egypt in 1977 and Chad in 1980-1987. The borders with Egypt, Chad and Tunisia are still littered with mines and other unexploded munitions.
There are also unconfirmed reports of new mine use, which is a cause for concern, it said.
"Everyone living in areas affected by fighting should be aware of the risk posed by explosive remnants of war," Jovanovic warned.
"We have discussed this issue with the local authorities. We plan to send additional specialised staff to provide technical support for the destruction of unexploded ordnance, to launch a mine risk education campaign and to clearly map affected areas," he added.
People living in unsafe areas are urged to contact local authorities for reports of any unexploded munitions that have been discovered there, and must not touch dangerous or suspicious objects.
Children are especially vulnerable and should be reminded of the risks, the ICRC said, adding that the presence and location of unexploded munitions should be reported to local authorities or to any ICRC staff member.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Weapons contamination represents a major hazard for Libya’s civilian population as a result of the ongoing fighting in that country, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said.
"We are extremely worried about what we have observed here (Libya) so far. Unexploded ordnance and destroyed armoured vehicles are now very much part of the landscape," said Srdjan Jovanovic, an ICRC weapons contamination specialist.
“The risk for the civilian population is clear, especially as there are many conflict zones in the country," he said in a statement posted on the ICRC website.
Further, the Geneva-based organisation said threats to civilians takes various forms.
Unexploded or abandoned ordnance is strewn throughout areas where fighting has taken place. In addition, munitions stored in the Libyan Army bases in Ajdabiya, Benghazi and Tobruk - which were abandoned in early March - and in other areas in the eastern part of the country, are accessible to the local population, it said.
The ICRC, which has a regional office here said that, adding to the problem, some of the stores exploded, scattering munitions over vast areas.
“Finally, because many armoured fighting vehicles, truck-mounted rocket launchers and other military vehicles have been destroyed in the fighting or by air strikes, unexploded ordnance are frequently found around the destroyed vehicles or inside them in unstable condition,” it added.
According to the ICRC, Libya's struggle against anti-personnel and anti-tank mines dates back to the Second World War and, later, to the conflicts with Egypt in 1977 and Chad in 1980-1987. The borders with Egypt, Chad and Tunisia are still littered with mines and other unexploded munitions.
There are also unconfirmed reports of new mine use, which is a cause for concern, it said.
"Everyone living in areas affected by fighting should be aware of the risk posed by explosive remnants of war," Jovanovic warned.
"We have discussed this issue with the local authorities. We plan to send additional specialised staff to provide technical support for the destruction of unexploded ordnance, to launch a mine risk education campaign and to clearly map affected areas," he added.
People living in unsafe areas are urged to contact local authorities for reports of any unexploded munitions that have been discovered there, and must not touch dangerous or suspicious objects.
Children are especially vulnerable and should be reminded of the risks, the ICRC said, adding that the presence and location of unexploded munitions should be reported to local authorities or to any ICRC staff member.
