Gaddafi's secret stockpile of chemical weapons discovered in south -east Libya

Tripoli, Jan 21(ANI): Former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi did have an undeclared stockpile of chemical weapons, international inspectors have confirmed.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said inspectors have found 'chemical munitions,' including sulphur mustard and artillery shells in his stockpile at the Ruwagha depot in south-east Libya.

"They are not ready to use, because they are not loaded with agents," The Daily Mail quoted OPCW spokesperson Michael Luhan, as saying.

He refused to divulge the amount of chemicals in the stockpile, but said it is just 'a fraction' of what Gaddafi had disclosed in the past.

Gaddafi had earlier declared to international authorities that he possessed chemical weapons in a bid to augment ties with the West.

Libya had vowed to completely destroy its chemical weapons by April 29, 2012, but might now be unable to meet the deadline due to political turmoil last year.

Gaddafi's secret cache of chemical weapons, including ten tons of deadly mustard gas, were earlier found in Libya.

Gaddafi's 41-year old regime was toppled in August 23, making him the fourth longest-ruling non-royal leader since 1900, as well as the longest-ruling Arab leader. (ANI)