Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), and the Italian Ministry of Defence have signed a technical agreement to train the Libyan Special Forces.
The Chief of Staff of the GNU, Lieutenant General Mohamed Al-Haddad, and the Chief of Staff of the Italian Ministry of Defence, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone inked the agreement.
According to a statement by Al-Haddad, the agreement was signed during a visit to Rome, on Tuesday.
Dragone welcomed Al-Haddad and his accompanying delegation before the signing ceremony. This took place in the presence of the Director of the Office of the Minister of Defence, the Director of the Training Department, the Commander of the Special Forces, the Military Coordinator of the Libyan-Italian Committee, and the Legal Adviser at the Ministry of Defence.
Dragoni also praised the efforts made, the exchange of experiences, and the military cooperation between the two countries. He affirmed the importance of cooperation between neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean, to address the security challenges facing the region.
Last week, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani announced that two boats will be donated to the Libyan Coast Guard, to combat irregular migration.
“We are increasing assistance to the Libyan Coast Guard. After we handed it a patrol boat recently, we will deliver two more boats (to the Libyans) in the next few days,” the Italian top diplomat said in an interview on Thursday.
Tajani pointed out that the boats will help the Libyan Coast Guard to “prevent the departure of migrant boats.”
He noted the presence of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) in the Mediterranean waters. But he added, “There is certainly a need for more European presence, and for a strong intervention to prevent departures, especially from Tunisia and Libya.”