Libya's security to get 'external' training from EU

The European Union is considering training Libyan forces as part of efforts to help stabilise the North African nation.

This was announced during a visit by EU foreign ministers from France and Germany to Libya.

The two ministers offered their support to the war torn country that is battling insurgents and vowed to help to restore security as well as combat terrorism.

“I think it is realistic enough to say we have to start training measures from my point of view outside of Libya,” Frank-Walter Steinmeier German’s foreign minister was quoted by Reuters News Agency.

French and German Foreign Ministers promise security traininghttps://t.co/YUFCoRIZX8#Libya #News

— Libya News (@LibyanNewsBotEn) April 17, 2016

Steinmeier and Jean-Marc Ayrault France’s Foreign Minister visited the oil producing country to offer their support to the new government.

“We know that it’s difficult to start a new state with public institutions, we know how difficult it is to get legal security forces behind this government and so we don’t want to underestimate the challenge of fighting against the cancer of Daesh (a commonly used name for Islamic State),” Steinmeier said.

“We also know that only the Libyans themselves can tackle this task successfully and I believe the path that has been taken, the path towards a national unity government, is the best way when we consider how many obstacles there still are along this path,” he added.

Western nations say the UN backed government is the best chance to end fighting among rival factions, and to fight the militants.

Since the ousting of long time ruler Muammar Gaddafi, the oil rich nation has suffered blows of attacks from Islamist militants battling for territory and recognition in the country.

Islamic State’s stronghold in Libya is the city of Sirte, though it also has some presence in other major cities including Benghazi.

According to reports, IS has about 2000 to 3000 fighters in the war torn country. Furthermore, the US claims that this numbers have doubled in the past 12 to 18 months.