Libya reinstated to Chemical Weapons Watchdog

Libya has regained full membership and voting rights in the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) after a 10-year suspension, marking a significant diplomatic milestone for the North African nation.

The reinstatement was announced during the 26th annual meeting of national authorities at the OPCW headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

According to Libya’s Ministry of Defence, the breakthrough follows sustained diplomatic efforts by the Government of National Unity’s Council of Ministers, spearheaded by the Defence Minister’s Office in collaboration with Libya’s OPCW delegate and the National Authority’s Board Chairman.

The Ministry highlighted that a recent inspection of the Al-Rabita Pharmaceutical Industries Factory in November 2024 played a crucial role in the decision. Their endorsement of the investigators’ findings helped establish Libya’s credibility and ultimately secured the country’s return to full membership status.

The restoration of Libya’s position within the international chemical weapons watchdog represents a significant step in the country’s reintegration into global regulatory frameworks.