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Congressman warns of Libyan weapons

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- The United States should keep Libyan weapons like anti-aircraft missiles out of the hands of "bad actors," U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., said Tuesday.

Allen, who heads the House Intelligence Committee, told Politico the Obama administration should move quickly, sending a team to Libya to round up and secure shoulder-fired missiles and ingredients for chemical weapons. He suggested President Obama is moving too slowly because of his pledge to avoid sending U.S. ground forces to Libya and said a small specialized team would not be "boots on the ground.".

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"Those anti-aircraft missiles are incredibly lethal in the hands of bad actors," Rogers said. "It's concerning because we don't have a handle on thousands of them and there will be a black market."

Tommy Victor, a spokesman for the administration's national security staff, gave Politico a statement.

"We have been monitoring known missile and chemical agent storage facilities since the start of this conflict and will continue to do so. We have also been working with our allies and partners to help prevent the proliferation of Libya's conventional weapons, including its inventory of shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles," Victor said.

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