Extra expertise for Libya announced

LONDON, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- UK Defence Secretary Liam Fox has announced 500,000 pounds and extra military expertise to help Libya in the battle against arms proliferation, it was confirmed here Saturday.
The package of support was announced today during his first official tour of the state but the visit has been overshadowed by a series of allegations at home about his working relationship with former flatmate Adam Werritty.
As claims continued to circulate last night, Dr Fox flew out to Tripoli and held talks with National Transitional Council (NTC) chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil and Defence Minister Jalal Al-Digheily on progress of military operations in the country and the new government's plans for security, the Ministry of Defence said.
That includes the future shape and structure of the Libyan Armed Forces and how to manage the eventual end of UN operations.
Dr. Fox today travelled to Misrata where injured fighters loyal to the interim government and civilian patients injured during the conflict are recovering.
He was quoted by the media here as saying: "I am delighted to be making my first visit to Libya, and to have the opportunity to discuss with chairman Jalil how the United Kingdom can continue to provide assistance in the long term, particularly in terms of support with counter-proliferation expertise and transition to a stable future.
"Those still fighting in Sirte and Bani Walid should take stock of what is going on around them.
The country is now free from the tyrannical grip of the Gaddafi regime and, for them, it is quite clear that laying down their arms is the only avenue open to them if they wish to part of a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future for the people of Libya. "It is thanks to the decisive steps taken by the UK and the international community that a massacre by Gaddafi's forces was avoided in Benghazi and Misrata.
"I am incredibly proud of all the personnel of the British Armed Forces who were involved and I would like to reiterate my thanks to them for achieving what they have." As well as the money, two extra military advisers have also been assigned to support the NTC, the Defence Secretary said.
The package of support comes on top of pledges made by Prime Minister David Cameron in Libya last month for 1 million pounds from the UK government's Conflict Pool and the deployment of two military advisers.
It is part of an anti-proliferation effort in Libya aimed at ensuring that portable missiles capable of shooting down aircraft do not fall into the hands of terrorist organisations. (pickup previous) he.sd KUNA 081718 Oct 11NNNN