Reply #78: U.S. sending more weapons experts to Libya [View All]

[pinboy3niner]

Officials say the US is taking an increasingly active role to secure thousands of rocket launchers, mines and small arms from Gaddafi's once vast arsenal in Libya.

The fear is that the loose weapons could either fuel an insurgency or fall into the hands of al-Qaeda or other extremists operating across North Africa.

US officials say the Obama administration is sending several additional weapons experts to Libya to help train local units to locate and destroy weapons. The US has two such contractors there already.

The focus is on the estimated 20,000 shoulder-launched missiles called MANPADs which Gadhafi assembled during his four-decade rule. The weapon can be used to shoot down helicopters or civil jetliners.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential plans.

http://blogs.aljazeera.net/liveblog/libya-sep-16-2011-1757