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Turkey Boosts Role in Libya by Training Police |
28 July 2012Turkey is training Libyan law enforcement to help establish security and promote a peaceful transition to democracy in a united Libya.
Aimed at boosting security during Libya's bumpy transition to democracy following the revolution that unseated Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi last year, Turkey has started training the North African country's law enforcement.
A total of 817 Libyan police academy students arrived in Istanbul last week to train at the Adile Sadullah Mermerci Police Centre, where they will spend seven and a half months before returning to home to take up police duties.
The students will be instructed in the practical skills necessary to perform the various duties of law enforcement, according to Aytekin Geleri, a professor at the Turkish National Police Academy.
Last year, Ankara presented Libya with 30 police vehicles and 6,000 uniforms as part of the training programme.
Geleri said a successful transition to democracy necessitates maintaining security in Libya.
More than a year has passed since the revolution, but the militias that fought to unseat Gadhafi have been engaging in violent turf wars throughout the country, as weapons remain readily available on the streets.
There is rivalry along tribal and regional lines, especially between eastern and western regions. In early July, Libyan's voted in the country's first free election in over 60 years.
The establishment of a professional police force to maintain law and order -- regardless of sect, tribe or political affiliation -- would add to the long-term security, stability and unity of the country.
"There are students from 18 different countries that are being trained at our police academy. We believe that long-term peace and security should be protected by strongly educated professionals," Geleri told SES Türkiye.
Ankara is also working to train Libya's judges, prosecutors and employees at corrections facilities, according to the officials. Turkey is providing financial support and has signed a number of oil deals.
"Our only goal and wish is that free Libya fulfills its development expectations on both security and socio-economic fronts," said Fevzi Sanverdi, a ruling AKP politician and former chairman of the Turkey-Libya Friendship Group.
Libya was a major Turkish trading partner before the revolution, with $2.4 billion in bilateral trade, largely oil imports from the resource rich country. The two countries have waived travel visas to boost trade.
Turkey seeks to lead in the region by advocating democracy in the Middle East and Northern Africa. It is increasingly seen as a regional model because of its democratic system, economic development and Muslim identity.
"We believe that we are the best model for our Libyan brothers," Sanverdi told SES Türkiye. "We are ready to promote our best for Libya's future."
For Mehmet Akif Okur, associate professor of international relations at Gazi University and a Middle East analyst at the Ankara Strategy think-tank, Turkey should strongly encourage unity in Libya to make sure that everyone in the country has a voice.
"Security is a number one problem in Libya. I’m sure our government is ready to provide as much training as it is needed to make sure that all the deficiencies in the Libyan transition are being fulfilled," he told SES Türkiye. |
28 July 2012
SES Turkiye
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