Libyan Prime Minister visits NATO
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan on Monday (27 May 2013) that the Alliance was proud of the role NATO played to protect the Libyan people and to fulfill the historic mandate of the United Nations Security Council. Stressing NATO’s expertise in the reform of security and defence sectors, especially when it comes to institutional education and training, Mr Fogh Rasmussen told the Prime Minister: “We stand ready to help the Libyan government in these areas, where you need us and where we can add value.” The Secretary General said, “I am confident we can develop our relationship to help build the new Libya, as a safe and secure country.”
NATO is also ready to develop political links with Libya, Mr Fogh Rasmussen said. He noted that at the Chicago Summit last year, Allies invited Libya to become a Mediterranean Dialogue partner, if it so wishes, and that invitation stands.
The Secretary General stressed that Libya has come a long way since the start of NATO’s Operation Unified Protector just over two years ago, and a very long way from over forty years of dictatorship. “The journey from dictatorship to liberation to democracy is tough. It takes time and much effort, but Libya has already passed some key milestones,” he said, “It is important that the new Libya continues to move towards a peaceful, secure and democratic future, and we stand ready to work with you and your government to help secure this future.”