The Defence Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Salah Al-Din Al-Namroush, announced the signing of a military cooperation agreement with Italy.
Al-Namroush said, “We agreed with the Italian side to cooperate in the fields of training, military education, exchange of expertise, support, development, maintenance and consultations. We also agreed to cooperate in the fields of illegal migration, land and sea border security, ammunition and mine disposal operations, as well as relief operations in cases of natural disasters.”
The statement pointed out that the agreement includes “participation in military exercises and joint drills, and the structuring and organising of military and security institutions, in addition to equipping military and security units.”
Al-Namroush claimed the agreement was to “develop and build capabilities and enhance bilateral cooperation with brotherly and friendly countries.” He said that this agreement began first with “our Turkish and Qatari allies, and now with Italy.” The minister added that this agreement will extend to all countries that have stood by the GNA.
Notably, Italy maintains a medical and military mission stationed at the military airbase, south of the city of Misrata.
Recently, the Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Williams, announced the existence of 10 military bases run by foreign forces, and about 20,000 mercenaries present in Libya. She described this revelation as a “horrific violation of Libyan sovereignty.”