Finland's withdrawal from anti-personnel landmine treaty takes effect

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Finland's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel landmines, comes into force on Saturday, public broadcaster Yle reported.

The Finnish government formally renounced the treaty on July 10 last year, following similar moves by countries including Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.

Under the terms of the convention, a withdrawal takes effect six months after the UN secretary-general has received the instrument of denunciation.

Finland justified its decision on defense grounds, citing "the deterioration of the security environment."

Leaving the treaty allows Finland to reintroduce anti-personnel landmines into its military toolkit.