UN chief urges Libya to secure Gaddafi's weapons

Tripoli: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged Libya's new leaders to quickly bring under control unsecured munitions following the eight-month civil war that ended with the capture and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in October.

Speaking to reporters in Tripoli on Wednesday, Ban said Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, Libya's interim leader, assured him that the weapons would be secured.

Among the thousands of weapons taken from Gaddafi's arsenals are shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles that can bring down civilian aircraft.

This week the UN Security Council urged Libya to prevent such weapons from reaching terrorists and other armed groups.

It also called on Libyan authorities to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles in coordination with international authorities.