Libya destroys over 200 tonnes of war remnants

Tripoli Feb 2 (IANS) Libya has destroyed over 200 tonnes of remnants of war with the support of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) officials said.

"At the end of January the UNMAS completed phase one of its initiative to destroy Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) which have been endangering the lives of Misratan communities and of the wider Libyan population " Xinhua quoted the UN Support Mission as saying on Thursday.

The ERW were eliminated with the support of the governments of Denmark and South Korea the Mission said in a statement.

"The next step is phase two of the initiative which aims to destroy at least 200 more tonnes of ERW. It will be supported by the government of France " it said.

Years of armed conflict in Libya left large amounts of unexploded ordnance which killed and injured many soldiers and civilians.

--IANS
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