Division 1 Background

In February 2014, Libya completed the destruction of Category 1 chemical weapons (CW) at the Ruwagha facility, Al Jufra province. The destruction process resulted in the filling of 24 transport containers with toxic waste and the filling of three containers with brine solutions. In 2016, Libya was able to decant Category 2 Chemical Weapons (precursors), which were stored in 45 deteriorating tanks, into new International Standards Organisation (ISO) containers. In accordance with an OPCW Executive Council decision (EC-M-52/DEC.2, dated 27 July, 2016), the new ISO containers were transported to the Misrata Harbour for shipment to Germany for disposal at a specialised facility. During the decanting, one tank experienced an exothermic reaction. Due to the unknown nature and high viscosity of the material remaining in the tank, German authorities could not consent to accept the tank for destruction. The original 45 decanted tanks are still stored at the Ruwagha facility. These tanks are in various states of decay, and many still contain remnants of the chemicals that are clinging to the walls or that were unable to be completely pumped. In addition, approximately 350 tons of effluents from the hydrolysis of HD (distilled sulphur mustard) are also stored at the Ruwagha site. Many of the containers are believed to have been filled with reaction mass containing highly acidic and hazardous chemicals that had not been stabilised. Several of the containers are leaking and corroded and require additional treatment for proper disposal.

In the report of its 83rd Session (dated 11 November 2016), the OPCW Executive Council requested the OPCW Technical Secretariat to take samples when the security situation in Libya allowed, but the security situation has not allowed this to happen to date. A sampling of the area could be adapted to the security situation through a live video feed.

In its Decision EC-M-53/DEC.1, dated 26 August 2016, the OPCW Executive Council -- in operative paragraph 2, where it was welcoming voluntary financial contributions and pledges from a variety of States Parties in support of destruction operations -- acknowledged that the European Union, pending approval within the Union, had notified the Technical Secretariat of its intent to provide funding for the destruction of the remaining decanted tanks and environmental clean-up at Ruwagha. The Union's attention to this timely issue will allow Libya to divest itself fully from the past chemical weapons programmes in an environmentally appropriate manner, thus highlighting the Union's contribution to the region with both short and long term effects.