Libyan general discovers 2.5 metric tons of missing uranium in storage.

A few hours before, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog raised concerns about radiological and security risks, sounding the alarm.

As per a general overseeing Khalifa Haftar’s communications division in eastern Libya, the UN’s nuclear watchdog has located over 2 tonnes of natural uranium previously reported as missing in the war-torn nation. The uranium containers were found within 5km (3 miles) of their original storage site in southern Libya. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had reported the disappearance earlier that day. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi informed member states that during a Tuesday inspection, 10 drums containing approximately 2.5 tonnes of uranium ore concentrate were not present as previously declared.

Before natural uranium can be utilized for energy or weapons, it requires an enrichment process. This involves converting the metal into a gas and then using centrifuges to achieve necessary levels. Experts emphasize that if a group with the required technological capabilities and resources acquired a tonne of natural uranium, it could be refined over time to produce 5.6kg (12lbs) of weapons-grade material. The retrieval of the missing uranium holds significant implications for nonproliferation experts.

The revelation of the missing uranium stemmed from an inspection initially scheduled for the prior year but delayed due to security issues in the region. Finally conducted on Tuesday, the inspection, as per a confidential statement from Grossi, highlighted the potential for a radiological risk and heightened concerns about nuclear security associated with the unknown whereabouts of the material.

Since the overthrow of Gaddafi in 2011, the African nation has been mired in a political crisis, marked by the formation of various militias aligning with opposing alliances with support from foreign powers.