DUBAI // The UAE is one of the main benefactors helping to rebuild Libya's interior ministry and security forces, the country's ambassador Aref Nayed said yesterday.
The Emirates is providing 100 police vehicles, 16,000 police and army uniforms and advice on training and restructuring to the transitional government in Libya.
The assistance comes as the National Transitional Council (NTC) tries to stabilise the country. Police officers are needed to guard banks, prevent looting and maintain order.
The EU, the UK and the UN are also helping with security.
The UAE was "one of the key countries", said Mr Nayed, who also oversaw the stabilisation team tasked with helping the country recover after the liberation of Tripoli a month ago.
Today, more than 90 per cent of retail bank branches have reopened in the capital city, said Wafik Shater, a stabilisation team coordinator.
However, leaders in the NTC are waiting to relocate there as security remains a concern.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in Bani Walid and Sirte, two towns loyal to Col Muammar Qaddafi.
The UAE has so far delivered 78 police vehicles and 6,000 uniforms, with the remaining 10,000 uniforms set to arrive within a week.
The most recent delivery of vehicles to Tripoli arrived on Monday and included 19 Land Cruisers and Chevrolets, said Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz, the head of the UAE Joint Relief Team for Libya. "Yesterday we met with the chief of police and he is happy," he said, speaking from Tripoli.
Members of the UAE Joint Relief Team will reconvene in Abu Dhabi on Friday to discuss sending other aid packages.
[ chuang@thenational.ae ]
[ zalhassani@thenational.ae ]
