NATO to advise Libya on strengthening its security forcesOctober 21, 2013 - 18:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO agreed on Monday to a Libyan request to advise it on strengthening its security forces, lending support to a country where powerful militias have stoked fears of a slide into anarchy, Reuters reported. Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan asked NATO for technical advice and help with training in May and the alliance later sent experts to the country to see how it could help. The request for help was given added urgency by Zeidan's brief kidnapping by militia members this month. Two years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in an Arab Spring-inspired uprising, Libya's fragile government is crippled by infighting and unable to disarm former militia fighters in a country awash with weapons from his four-decade rule. "Allies have agreed to respond positively to the request made by the Libyan prime minister for NATO to provide advice on defense institution-building in Libya," NATO said in a statement. The 28-nation alliance said it would set up a "small advisory team" to help Libya. NATO officials provided few details about the mission or how many advisers would be involved. A NATO source indicated their role would be to advise on strengthening the security forces rather than hands-on training. The team will be based in Brussels and will not have a permanent presence in Libya, the source said. NATO said its advisers would work in close coordination with other international organizations and individual NATO members. NATO played a critical role in toppling Gaddafi. The Western alliance imposed a no-fly zone and used air power to try to prevent his forces attacking civilian areas held by rebels. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |