Libya, France to boost maritime security

PanARMENIAN.Net - Libya and France have agreed to look into boosting maritime security and controlling the North African country's borders, their defence ministers said on Saturday, February 25, Reuters reported.

On a visit to Tripoli, French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet met his Libyan counterpart Osama al-Juwali to discuss the issues and sign a letter of intent to boost cooperation.

Foreign states are worried about the Libyan interim government's capacity to secure its Mediterranean coast, which could be used as a gateway into Europe for arms traffickers, al Qaeda insurgents and illegal migrants.

The Libyan conflict has also created new problems for the fragile region to its south.

Regional governments have warned that instability in Libya after the end of Muammar Gaddafi's rule is allowing weapons taken from Gaddafi's arsenal to fall into the hands of al Qaeda's north African branch and other insurgent groups across the Sahara desert.

Two French warships arrived at Tripoli's port last month carrying navy crewmen to train the Libyan navy and help demine oil ports. The ministers said a number of Libyan divers would be trained by France.

Juwali thanked France for the leading role it took in backing last year's rebellion against Muammar Gaddafi's rule.

In December, French army chief of staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud said France was ready to offer military training to Libya and was examining ways to boost its co-operation with the new government.