Armed Forces to assist new Libya in SAR

The UN Security Council today voted unanimously to lift the no-fly zone over Libya and end its authorisation of military action to protect civilians.

It said there was no need for UN-authorised military action following the death of Gaddafi on October 20 and the transitional government’s announcement of the country’s liberation on October 23.

At the conference was organised by Qatar on the express wishes of Mustafa Abdul Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council, the rebels’ leader urged NATO to continue its campaign until the year’s end, saying Gaddafi loyalists still pose a threat.

We hope (NATO) will continue its campaign until at least the end of this year to serve us and neighbouring countries,” Mr Abdel Jalil, NTC chairman, told the Conference of Friends Committee.

This request is aimed at “ensuring that no arms are infiltrated into those countries and to ensure the security of Libyans from some remnants of Gaddafi’s forces who have fled to nearby countries”, he added.

Invited to attend the conference were the Chiefs of Defence of Malta, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Canada and the United States of America. Malta was represented by a delegation from the AFM, headed by Brigadier Martin Xuereb, Commander Armed Forces of Malta.

During the conference Jalil acknowledged the vital roles played by NATO, international actors and other states including Malta in assisting Libya gain victory over Gaddafi’s dictatorship.

Jalil clearly defined priorities for the National Transitional Council focusing on the need for assistance from the international community in assisting Libya in preventing the proliferation of weapons, providing oil sector security, conducting security sector reform, reintegrating former rebels into civil society, and implementing proper border management.

During the conference Armed Forces of Malta brigadier Martin Xuereb highlighted Malta’s support to Libya’s cause, reiterating Malta’s intent to support Libya in the implementation of proper border management practices, the establishment of a Libyan search and rescue capability and assisting the Libyan civil aviation authority in the management of its airspace.