Topic: Measures to Prevent Terrorists from Acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction
Country: Libya
Delegate Name: Lauren Anderson
School: Roeper School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Libya position papers GLIMUN 2013 committees
The northern African country of Libya has been plagued continuously with violence, even with the decision of former president, Muammar Gadaffi, to disband our substantial weapons program – along with Libya’s relinquishment and destruction of existing weapons (results of the ratification of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003). While this was a considerable step forward in the field of international relations, there is still an ongoing threat: all nuclear and ballistic weapons have yet to be destroyed, as well as weapons factories not yet having been converted into peaceful use facilities. This allows for potential theft by terrorist groups, and an increased threat of attacks like that on the American diplomatic buildings in Benghazi. Terror groups want to acquire even more deadly weapons, those of mass destruction, including conventional high explosives, biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons, in order to perpetrate greater acts of violence against states or groups they see as their enemies.
With increased international support – as originally defined in the NPT – Libya could help in the global effort to reduce this risk. While nuclear weapons are dangerous, they would be particularly lethal under the control of individuals or groups seeking to use them for terror. Under state control, with the best interest of the country in mind, they could serve as a form of protection. Libya slowed its turn-over of existing weapons when it appeared that we would not be receiving the listed aid from the United States; this would just leave us vulnerable, to both foreign and internal attacks alike.
Libya is prepared to work with other nations to reach an agreement that would strengthen controls against terrorists from acquiring WMD’s. The world can do no less if we wish to achieve peace and security in our lifetime.
