UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The first draft of a new U.N. treaty to
regulate the multibillion-dollar global arms trade sparked
criticism from campaigners seeking to keep illegal weapons from
fighters and terrorists - and demands for changes before Friday's
deadline for action.

Peter Herby of the International Committee of the Red Cross said
there are "major loopholes" in the draft and he warned that if
it's adopted there's a very high risk the treaty would continue the
status quo and allow countries to continue doing what they're doing
now.

But the Washington-based Arms Control Association and Amnesty
International USA said that with a few key fixes the treaty could
reduce the impact of the illicit arms trade.

The General Assembly voted in December 2006 to work toward a
treaty regulating the arms trade.

Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.