COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark says a Danish-led international operation to rid Libya of its chemical weapons has removed 500 tons of chemicals from the North African country.

The government said Wednesday that the chemicals were picked up Saturday at the Libyan port of Misrata and are now on their way out of the Mediterranean Sea toward Germany.

Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen says: "We have now removed the chemical remnants from Libya and have ensured that they will not fall into the wrong hands."

Britain and Finland assisted with the maritime operation.

Denmark said Libya's U.N.-brokered National Unity government in July handed over a formal request for international assistance to have the chemical weapons removed.