Truemors
The begining phases of the ratifcation of a treaty to ban cluster bombs have begun, with the intial signatures being made. Cluster bombs can be particularly damaging to civilians because they spread out so far and they can lay unexploded for some time.
The first of more than 100 countries have begun signing a treaty to ban current designs of cluster bombs, at a conference in Oslo, Norway.
Campaigners are hailing the treaty as a major breakthrough.
But some of the biggest stockpilers, including the US, Russia and China are not among them.
First developed during World War II, cluster bombs contain a number of smaller bomblets designed to cover a large area and deter an advancing army.
But campaigners, including some in the military, have long argued they are outmoded and immoral because of the dangers posed to civilians from bombs that do not explode and litter the ground like landmines.
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