Proliferation of weapons in Libya is a threat: India

Pointing out that the proliferation of weapons in a post-conflict Libya poses serious threat to stability in the troubled nation and in the larger middle-east region, India called on the international community to assist the nation to achieve stability and socio-economic development.

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri said that during the conflict in Libya, there were deaths and destruction on a massive scale by those who were part of the conflict.

"In the post-conflict scenario, proliferation of weapons has emerged as a major problem posing threat to the stability in Libya as well as in the larger region. The Libyan government has to confront this challenge by undertaking an inclusive political process aimed at achieving national reconciliation, peace, security and stability in the country," Puri said during a Security Council meeting on the Libyan case in the International Criminal Court on Wednesday.

He said India strongly condemns all acts of violence committed against civilians, adding that those responsible for committing alleged crimes should be held accountable.

"Political or other non-judicial considerations should not exonerate anybody from prosecution for the crimes committed. We believe that the right to life is one of the fundamental rights and should be the foundation of any social order. It is the obligation of all States to take appropriate measures to protect the life of their citizens, while maintaining social order. The concerned states must also bring to justice those responsible for violations of this right," he said.

Welcoming the progress achieved towards establishing democracy in Libya, Puri expressed hope that peace, stability, and socio-economic development would soon return to Libya.

He said the international community, including the Security Council and the ICC, should fully assist the Libyan authorities in its path towards stability and recovery.

"This inclusive approach to national reconciliation, anchored in state sovereignty, is the only way to overcome the problems that Libya is presently facing," he said.