coast guard

Libya's Interior Ministry has concluded a training course for its employees in Italy.

According to the ministry, the course targeted employees of the General Administration of Coastal Security in the fields of communications, radar, and maritime navigation.

The training program was part of agreements between the two countries aimed at raising the efficiency of Libyan security cadres, a readout by the ministry said on Saturday.

In September, the Government of National Unity (GNU) signed an agreement with its Italian counterpart to support the Libyan Coast Guard with five naval boats within the European Seamil project.

The deal allows Italy to provide Libya with vessels and equipment, besides financing maintenance and storage costs, supporting training programs for Libya's Coast Guard, and implementing a rescue coordination centre.

The EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy, Oliver Varhelyi, said the €57 million EU project in Libya will contribute to dismantling trafficking and criminal networks and would help save lives and rescue migrants at risk with full respect for human rights.