Libya's United Nations backed premier Fayez al-Sarraj and UN special envoy Ghassan Salame on Thursday opened three recently rehabilitated police training facilities in Tripoli, where 1,500 police and 330 judicial police officers will receive training, the UN said in a statement.
“A trained, disciplined and regular force is crucial for the strengthening rule of law in the country and advancing the implementation of the new security arrangements in the capital,” Sarraj said at the opening ceremony.
“This is an important day, a great day. The UN is proud to be given the opportunity to contribute to the revitalization and boosting of the police force. You are responsible for providing security and safety of the Libyan people, who want to live without fear and intimidation,” he underlined.
The programme aims to help develop national capacities to improve safety and security in Libya through more effective, community-oriented policing and rule of law services, said the statement by the UN's mission to Libya (UNSMIL).
Over the next month, the police and judicial police officers will be trained on new curricula that integrate human rights principles with effective policing methods, according to UNSMIL.
The training will also include community policing and sensitivity towards vulnerable communities such as people uprooted from their homes and case management, UNSMIL said.
The ceremony was attended by the UN-backed Government of National Accord's interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha, and a high-level delegation visiting from the UN headquarters in New York. The delegation included the United Nations Development Programme’s directors for the Regional Bureau for Arab States and Crisis Bureau, Mourad Wahba and Asako Okai, as well as UN deputy emergency relief coordinator, Ursula Mueller.
“The UN stands ready to support the capacity building of Libya’s institutions and contribute to long-term security and stability necessary to enable sustainable development in the country,” said Wahbe, adding that “there can be no national development without security.”
The police facilities were rehabilitated by the Policing and Security joint Programme, implemented by UNSMIL and UNDP in partnership with Libya's interior and justice ministries.
“This training program was designed by national expertise with valuable support from the UN and friendly states. It aims to enhance the quality level of Libyan security personnel,” said Bashagha.
The programme was initiated in Tripoli with funding contributions from the Netherlands, United States, Germany, and UNDP while the GNA contributed security, UNSMIL said.
