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Tripoli, 11 September 2013:
The Libyan Government yesterday co-chaired a meeting with the EU Integrated Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM Libya), . . .[restrict]involving the international community in discussions about border security.
Members of the Border Management Working Group (BMWG), set up by Prime Minister Ali Zeidan in June, were joined by diplomats at the International Coordination Meeting (ICM) on border management.
The international presence reflected how important effective security for and management of Libya’s 4,348 km of land borders and 1,770 km of coastline is to the international community.
The BMWG, made up of representatives from ministries and other agencies with border management roles, is tasked with creating a national strategy, monitoring and controlling the implementation of this, and acting as a focal point on border affairs.
The BMWG has already set up three sub-groups to work with EUBAM Libya. One will draft an Integrated Border Management (IBM) white paper, working alongside all relevant ministries, the second is tasked with establishing a Border Integrated Security Operations Network (BISON) and the third is undertaking an IBM pilot scheme at Tripoli International Airport.
The ICM aims to coordinate the international community’s activities to make sure that support provided reflects Libya’s needs, said EUBAM Libya’s acting Head of Mission Peter Rundell.
Established in May 2013, the role of EUBAM Libya is to support the Libyan authorities in developing a Border Management Strategy and enhancing security at the country’s land, sea and air borders. It has a focus on knowledge transfer, training and support, to help boost the country’s border security in accordance with international standards and best practice.
As part of the Libya’s plans to secure the borders, the GNC Security Committee is now seeking to get the UN arms embargo lifted, to enable the purchase of warplanes and weapons. [/restrict]
