Libya’s army graduates first Tripoli-trained troops

Sunday, 04 March 2012

The national army in Libya, which has been refashioning itself after the toppling of slain dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s regime in October, is trying to recruit and train former rebel fighters. (File photo)

inShare3

By AFP

Tripoli

The Libyan national army on Sunday graduated its first batch of soldiers drawn from the ranks of former rebels in the capital of Tripoli, a military officer said.

“This is the first military unit formed by the national army in Tripoli,” Colonel Omar Abdullah said of the graduating class of 225 troops.

“It is a symbol of revolutionaries being streamlined into a system with a mission of protecting the state,” he added, gesturing to the men in khaki.

The national army in Libya, which has been refashioning itself after the toppling of slain dictator Muammar Qaddafi’s regime in October, is trying to recruit and train former rebel fighters.

“Our doors are open to all revolutionaries,” the colonel told AFP. 

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE: Libya’s army graduates first Tripoli-trained troops