Thaindian News

Tripoli, Mar.31 (ANI): Forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s have reportedly laid both anti- personnel and anti- vehicle landmines near the eastern city of Ajdabiya.

Human Rights Watch researcher Peter Bouckaert, said both types of mines had been found in the area. An electrical utility truck ran over and detonated two anti- personnel mines and 24 anti- vehicle mines. Over 30 anti- personnel mines were later removed from the same area.

No injuries have been reported so far, the New York Times reports.

Bouckaert said the forces had planted the mines between March 17 and March 27 when Gaddafi was in control of Ajdabiya.

Libya is one of 37 nations yet to join the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. A total of 156 nations have signed the treaty till now. Two more nations are signatories, but have not ratified the doccument as yet.

The treaty comprehensively bans the use, production, and transfer of all antipersonnel mines, requires destruction of stockpiles within four years and clearance of mined areas within ten years, and calls for assistance to landmine victims.
Libya insists on the right to defend its borders with mines. It has also said that it would cost too much to clear the mines, as required by the treaty, and criticized the treaty for not requiring those who laid mines in the past to pay for clearance.
Many countries have rejected the use of land mines because of their disproportionate toll on civilians, sometimes for decades after they were laid.

Libya is last known to have used land mines in its war with Chad during the 1980s. (ANI)