Abstract

The ambiguity of international standards on arms trade control is well known. The Libyan crisis, however, has highlighted how weak these standards are and how easy it is to circumvent their spirit. This key dimension of international trade remains surrounded by a thick fog, through which one can barely see the tip of the iceberg.

The case described here, concerning an arms export from Italy to Libya via Malta, is only an example that came to the surface by accident.

Key words: European Union, Libya, arms control, arms trade, small arms and light weapons, weapons smuggling..