The proliferation of small arms in Libya is of major concern. It contributes to ongoing instability in that country, and potentially to the wider region. We have been working closely with our international partners to address the issue of unsecured weapons stockpiles in Libya.

We have funded about £5m of work on arms and ammunition work in Libya to date. Unfortunately, our programme of work has been reduced due to events in Libya over the summer, which forced the withdrawal of our diplomatic staff.

So far, in this financial year, the UK has committed an estimated £1.2m towards tackling the issues of unsecured weapons stockpiled in Libya. These resources have enabled the UK to fund small but important work programmes with the UN Mine Action Service and Danish Demining Group, on surveying weapons sites and tidying up unexploded ordinance devices.

Until such time as we can return to Libya, we are exploring other options to work with Libyan groups. For example, we are working with local military and municipal councils who are already conducting their own activity to secure small arms and light weapons. The UK Ministry of Defence is also undertaking preparatory work for the UK’s eventual return to Libya, for instance, committing £4.2m this financial year towards the procurement of equipment and course materials for the Explosive Ordnance Device/Improvised Explosive Device Destruction Schools which the UK has been supporting.

The Libyan General Election was held on 25 June, despite challenging security conditions. The UK provided significant support to help ensure that the Election took place, including providing over £500,000 for a joint UN-Libyan Electoral Assistance Programme. Around 630,000 Libyans cast their vote out of a total 1.5m registered voters. The full results are due to be announced shortly.

Whilst the elections themselves passed off relatively peacefully, the recent escalation in violence risks undermining the process. Violence and the threat of violence are unacceptable and endanger the stability of the state, and the Libyan people’s aspirations for a secure and prosperous future.

The UK is providing assistance, including technical expertise, to help Libya tackle its political, security and economic challenges. The UK recently committed £62.5 million for a comprehensive Security, Justice and Defence programme which will support stabilisation in Libya over the next three years.

The UK is delivering an extended package of support in the area of security, justice and defence, which aims to help the Libyan government safeguard the public, integrate militias and establish accountable state forces. Specifically on the issue of border security, the UK is making a major contribution to the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM); we have seconded four experts to EUBAM, including at

Deputy Head of Mission level. Bilaterally, the UK has provided a Border Security Adviser to work with the Libyan Border Guards, Ministries of Defence and Interior, and who also links in to the EU Border Assistance Mission.

Our Border Security Adviser is one of 19 long-term military and civilian UK advisers, in addition to a number of short-term experts, working with the Libyan authorities across the fields of security, justice and defence. We are providing advice on key issues such as building civil service capacity, strengthening civilian oversight of the armed forces, disposal of arms and ammunition, improving access to justice, improving government co-ordination and helping to build the professionalism and capacity of the police force. The UK is funding these advisers from the tri-departmental Conflict Pool. In addition, Libya is paying for the UK to train 2000 Libyan infantry personnel, in the UK.

Human Rights Watch has reported that “Libyan weapons stocks are 100 times greater in scale than those found in Iraq” - although the challenging security situation makes it difficult to assess the exact quantity of unsecured weapons. Furthermore, the UN panel of experts report highlights that civilians and brigades remain in control of most of the weapons. The UK is focussing international attention on this issue: we hosted a Wilton Park Conference in November 2013 to develop an international plan of action to begin decommissioning Libya’s weapons stockpiles.

The UK is delivering an extended package of support in the area of security, justice and defence, which aims to help the Libyan government safeguard the public, integrate militias and establish accountable state forces. Specifically on the issue of border security, the UK is making a major contribution to the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM); we have seconded four experts to EUBAM, including at Deputy Head of Mission level. Bilaterally, the UK has provided a Border Security Adviser to work with the Libyan Border Guards, Ministries of Defence and Interior, and who also links in to the EU Border Assistance Mission.

Our Border Security Adviser is one of 19 long-term military and civilian UK advisers, in addition to a number of short-term experts, working with the Libyan authorities across the fields of security, justice and defence. We are providing advice on key issues such as building civil service capacity, strengthening civilian oversight of the armed forces, disposal of arms and ammunition, improving access to justice, improving government co-ordination and helping to build the professionalism and capacity of the police force. The UK is funding these advisers from the tri-departmental Conflict Pool. In addition, Libya is paying for the UK to train 2000 Libyan infantry personnel, in the UK.

Human Rights Watch has reported that “Libyan weapons stocks are 100 times greater in scale than those found in Iraq” - although the challenging security situation makes it difficult to assess the exact quantity of unsecured weapons. Furthermore, the UN panel of experts report highlights that civilians and brigades remain in control of most of the weapons. The UK is focusing international attention on this issue: we hosted a Wilton Park Conference in November 2013 to develop an international plan of action to begin decommissioning Libya’s weapons stockpiles.

The UK is delivering an extended package of support in the area of security, justice and defence, which aims to help the Libyan government safeguard the public, integrate militias and establish accountable state forces. Specifically on the issue of

border security, the UK is making a major contribution to the EU Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM); we have seconded four experts to EUBAM, including at Deputy Head of Mission level. Bilaterally, the UK has provided a Border Security Adviser to work with the Libyan Border Guards, Ministries of Defence and Interior, and who also links in to the EU Border Assistance Mission.

Our Border Security Adviser is one of 19 long-term military and civilian UK advisers, in addition to a number of short-term experts, working with the Libyan authorities across the fields of security, justice and defence. We are providing advice on key issues such as building civil service capacity, strengthening civilian oversight of the armed forces, disposal of arms and ammunition, improving access to justice, improving government co-ordination and helping to build the professionalism and capacity of the police force. The UK is funding these advisers from the tri-departmental Conflict Pool. In addition, Libya is paying for the UK to train 2000 Libyan infantry personnel, in the UK.

Human Rights Watch has reported that “Libyan weapons stocks are 100 times greater in scale than those found in Iraq” - although the challenging security situation makes it difficult to assess the exact quantity of unsecured weapons. Furthermore, the UN panel of experts report highlights that civilians and brigades remain in control of most of the weapons. The UK is focusing international attention on this issue: we hosted a Wilton Park Conference in November 2013 to develop an international plan of action to begin decommissioning Libya’s weapons stockpiles.

Our Embassy in Tripoli still retains exclusive use of the previous Embassy/Residence compound on a long-term lease.

The Government lodged a formal claim for compensation for damages incurred to the building and property with the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in February 2013. A resolution on this claim has yet to be reached but discussions are continuing.