ADDIS ABABA, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- The Libyan government is expected to start disposing of the remainder of its chemical weapons stockpile in the next few months, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said here Tuesday.

    Rogelio Pfirter, director general of the OPCW said at the ongoing three-day regional conference on the Universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) that the Libyan government will also present its detailed plans for destruction of chemical weapons.

    Since the entry into force of the convention for Libya on Feb. 5,2004, Libya has presented its initial declaration and destroyed, under stringent verification carried out by OPCW inspectors, more than 3,500 aerial bombs, Pfirter said.

    He said that Libya's decision will inspire others to join the ranks of the overwhelming majority of peace-loving nations that reject weapons of mass destruction.

    He, however, did not mention the names of countries which he said were rejecting weapons of mass destruction.

    "I fervently hope that the signs of progress we are seeing today in ridding north Africa of chemical weapons will emulated soon in the rest of Middle East. With our newcomers, the CWC has atotal of 162 states parties, and it is the fastest growing disarmament treaty in the world. But more can be achieved in Africa. Important countries remain outside the CWC, and we need them," he added.

    Cape Verde, Chad and Rwanda recently joined the Convention while Madagascar is expected to join very soon.

    Currently, 12 African counties do not join the convention of CWC.

    According to available information of the OPCW, as of March 2004, more than 8,500 tons, or 12 percent of chemical agents of the declared arsenals worldwide have been destroyed in the United States, Russia and India.

    Libya has commenced, and Albania, who declared a small arsenal last year, will start soon, the report said. Enditem