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US to train Libyan military personnel

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Press Trust of India Washington
The US has agreed to train between 5,000 and 8,000 Libyan military personnel in Bulgaria, the Pentagon has said, as Tripoli struggles to contain violence from heavily armed militias.

The Pentagon added that the modalities of this were still being worked out.

The decision to impart training to the military personnel has been taken up at the request of the Libyan prime minister, Pentagon spokesman, Army Col Steve Warren, told reporters.

"We're in discussions with the Libyans on the exact number, but we're prepared to provide training for 5,000 to 8,000 Libyan military personnel," Warren said, adding that the Congress has been notified of discussions with the Libyans.
 

"The Libyan prime minister requested this, and we offered to provide general-purpose military training outside Libya.

It's one element of a targeted security programme we've been providing in Libya since 2011, building on the Paris ministerial-level meeting to support Libya's security," Warren said.

The training mission would involve both conventional and special Libyan forces, he said.

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First Published: Nov 19 2013 | 8:35 AM IST

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