U.N. sees security lapses in Libya

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NEW YORK, March 15 (UPI) -- Weak state institutions and a lack of trust in security forces are hurting Libyan effort to maintain national security, a U.N. envoy said.

Tarek Mitri, U.N. special envoy to Libya, in a briefing to the U.N. Security Council on Libya's post-war progress, said the country is "awash in unsecured weapons" that pose a serious risk to the region given Libya's porous borders.

"Significant progress in improving the country's precarious security situation remains hampered by weak state institutions and security coordination mechanisms, as well as continuing mistrust of the state's security forces by many of those who fought during the revolution, most of whom remain armed," he said.

The U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Libya this week. It warned the security situation in the country is "unpredictable."

Mitri added that the post-war government in Libya was in a fragile stated because of "increased political polarization."

The Security Council voted to extend the mandate for the U.N. Support Mission for Libya for another year on the advice of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

NATO enforced a no-fly zone over Libya in 2011 to protect civilians from forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi.