TRIPOLI -- Chemical weapons had been seized in Libya, an official from its ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) said Sunday.

Nine tons of artillery shells containing mustard gas were found inside a warehouse in an unpopulated area in the southern town of Sabha, Hassan al-Saghir told local media.

The NTC official said the weapons were brought into Libya by fallen Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's administration from an Asian country, but he did not name the country.

With the help of the international community and organizations, Libyan authorities were taking necessary measures to dispose of the weapons in a safe way according to world standards, al-Saghir said.

Some Western countries have said Gaddafi controlled a large stockpile of missiles and chemical weapons, including more than 10 tons of artillery shells containing mustard gas.