NATO stands ready to help Libya

NATO stands ready to help Libya build its security sector, the alliance's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Monday. "NATO has expertise in the reform of security and defence sectors, especially when it comes to institutional education and training. We stand ready to help the Libyan government in these areas, where you need us and where we can add value," Rasmussen told visiting Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan at NATO headquarters. Zeidan told reporters that Libya wanted to cooperate with NATO and requested "technical assistance" or training in the field of security sector. Rasmussen said the request would be forwarded to the alliance decision-making body, the North Atlantic Council, which will make a final decision. "This is not about deploying NATO troops to Libya. This is about technical assistance upon request of the Libyan government," he stressed, adding that "I am confident we can develop our relationship to help build the new Libya, as a safe and secure country." In 2011, the military alliance led a seven-month bombing campaign in Libya, which enabled Libyan rebel fighters to overthrow the then Gaddafi regime.