The United Nations-backed Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) says it will soon send the first group of Libyan helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) pilots for training in Turkey.
Speaking to reporters after touring the Turkish military aerospace factory in Ankara, GNA head Faiez Serraj said he held negotiations with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirum, leading to the signing of an agreement that lays down the terms of the training programme.
He said Turkey had also agreed to help in re-building and training a professional, united Libyan army. Hundreds of opposing militias, which include Al Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) affiliates, have been battling for control of Libya since the revolution that deposed and killed long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011.
Apart from grappling with local militias and the trans-national non-state actors, the Tripoli-based GNA also faces political and military opposition from the rival House of Representatives (HOR) government which is based in the city of Tobruk.
However, the GNA has the military backing of the European Union and several Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf countries. Early this month, the EU started a short training programme for 78 Libyan Coast Guard officials on the Greek island of Crete.
The training curriculum, which is a component of the counter-human smuggling Operation Sophia, includes subjects such as human rights, maritime rights, equality in treating men and women and the conduct of maritime search and rescue operations.
In terms of a deal signed with the EU in August last year, the Libyan Coast Guard training programme will be conducted from various locations in the Mediterranean throughout 2017. Twenty Libyan sailors who went for training in Greece in October last year are expected back home this month.
