The United Nations Mission reported that eleven officers from the General Administration for Central Support in Libya have acquired practical skills for the safe management of ammunition depots through a five-day training course last week, organized by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
This course is part of UNMAS’s efforts to build national capacities, aimed at improving ammunition management and mitigating the risk of accidental explosions, with a focus on preventing the diversion of ammunition to illicit markets.
Fatima Zreik, Director of UNMAS in Libya, stated, “Capacity building in this area is crucial in Libya due to the widespread proliferation of unsecured ammunition stockpiles after the long conflict, which has contributed to the spread of armed violence.” She noted that “167 people were killed and 282 others were injured in incidents resulting from accidental explosions in the last five years.”
The course included practical training on how to store, inspect, and track ammunition according to international best practices, such as ensuring proper ventilation and controlling humidity and temperature to maintain ammunition stability. The officers also learned how to detect corrosion and leakage in ammunition.
In his comment, Colonel Mohammed Al-Hasnawi, a training official at the General Administration for Central Support, expressed his appreciation for the continuous support from the United Nations, noting that “the course directly enhanced the skills of our personnel and improved their administrative and field efficiency.”
UNMAS had previously collaborated with the Criminal Investigation Department to develop standard operating procedures for ammunition management and is set to provide additional support in designing the planned ammunition depots.
Colonel Al-Hasnawi added, “We greatly appreciate this initiative and look forward to more constructive cooperation with the United Nations in the future.”