UN Security Council keeps Libya arms embargo in place
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously approved a resolution on Libya which keeps in place an arms embargo imposed against the North African country in 2011.
While holding the embargo in place, the Jordan-drafted resolution opened the door to exemptions on a case-by-case basis on Friday.
The measure called on a Security Council sanctions committee to "consider expeditiously" the Libyan government's requests for arms purchases.
The ban was imposed in 2011, when Libya witnessed chaos following an uprising that toppled former dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Last month, Libya’s internationally recognized government asked the council to lift the embargo to be able to defend itself against the rise of the ISIL terrorist group in the country.
Earlier this month, however, eight members of the Security Council led by Spain indefinitely froze the request from Libya for the purchases of fighter jets, attack helicopters, tanks and munitions.
The refusal came after a UN panel of experts warned in a letter that the arms may fall into the wrong hands.
Libya has in recent months witnessed a growing presence of the ISIL terrorists, whose terror campaign is focused in Iraq and Syria.
The terrorists shocked the world in February by releasing a video showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians on a Libyan beach, in addition to killing about 50 people and injuring dozens of others in triple bomb explosions in the northeastern city of al-Qubah.
Libya has now two rival camps vying for control of the country, with one governing Tripoli and the other, Libya’s internationally recognized government, controlling the eastern cities of Bayda and Tobruk.
The UN is facilitating negotiations between Libya's warring sides on forming a unity government in the country.
On Thursday, the rival governments halted the talks, making it more difficult to reach an agreement.
MSM/AS/MHB
Moroccan activist gets prison sentence for criticizing normalization with Israel
Gaza genocide becoming reminiscent of Rwanda genocide, Algeria warns
'Void peace treaty with Israel': Moroccans join Jordanian protests
Iran, China discuss military cooperation
Sanders to Netanyahu: 'Don’t insult American people’s intelligence'
Tehran economic conference: Raeisi hails Iran-Africa expansion of ties
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Severe heat wave hits India as phase 2 of polling begins
What to expect after President Raeisi's visit to Pakistan
China describes Iran as ‘strategic partner' in West Asia
April 25: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
