Watchdog says Libya destroys chemical weapons

   Reports from Libya say fears that the regime will use chemical or
biological weapons are rampant among protesters facing Gadhafi's
militias and supporters, and former British Foreign Secretary David
Owen said the West should be concerned about that possibility.

   ``We know that this is a person who could unleash either chemical
or biological weapons which he possibly still has,'' Owen said on
BBC radio Wednesday. Gadhafi ``is deeply unstable, and has been for
42 years,'' he said.

   But the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
indicated the use of chemical weapons was unlikely.

   All Libya's delivery systems _ 3,300 unloaded aerial bombs _ were
crushed by bulldozers in 2004 when Gadhafi agreed to dismantle his
weapons of mass destruction, said the OPCW, based in The Hague.
   Libya destroyed nearly 13.5 metric tons (15 tons) of sulfur
mustard last year, about 54 percent of its stockpile. It received an
extension to eliminate the rest by May 15, the organization said.

Nearly 40 percent of the chemicals used to make sulfur mustard also
have been destroyed since 2005, it said.

   Twice-yearly inspections have found no evidence of Libya reviving
the chemical weapons program.

   ``So far as we know, Libya gave up the capacity to deliver
chemical agents seven years ago,'' OPCW spokesman Michael Luhan told
The Associated Press. ``And in the last year we've also seen, after
some delays, substantial progress toward destroying their existing
stockpile of chemical agent, which is all mustard.''

   A British government official also said there was little to no
fear outside Libya that Gadhafi would use such weapons.

   ``We worked quite successfully five years ago to make sure the
supplies were destroyed. So right now, they have the expertise but
not the kit,'' said the official in London on condition of anonymity
because of the sensitivity of his work.

   ___