GNA officially requested EU assistance in training Navy forces and Coast Guard

Libyan authorities have requested EU assistance in the training of employees of the Coast Guard and the country’s naval forces, according to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini’s statement published Sunday.

“The Libyan Prime Minister, Fayez Al-Serraj, has written to request rapid EU support contributing to the training of the Libyan Navy and Coast Guard, as well as the security service,” the statement read.

According to Mogherini, the move of the Libyan authorities is an “important development” that is due to be discussed on Monday during a meeting of the European Council on foreign affairs in order to fulfill all necessary measures to support the Libyan population as soon as possible.

On Friday, Mogherini said the European Union and the NATO could cooperate in training Libyan coastguards in curbing arms smuggling in the Mediterranean.