Jordan ‘to train 10,000 Libyan ex-rebels’

Libya will send 10,000 former rebels who helped topple Muammar Qadhafi’s regime to Jordan for training in order to integrate them into the interior ministry, a senior official told AFP. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for the training of 10,000 “thuwwar” (revolutionaries), ministry spokesperson General Abdelmonem Al Tunsi said. As per the text of the agreement, a copy of which was obtained by AFP, the initial batch of 1,000 former rebels will start their training from March 1, with the following batches comprising 2,000 former fighters each. Tunsi said Libya chose Jordan to train the fighters because of Amman’s experience in training Iraqi police with the assistance of the United States. Libya’s interior ministry has previously announced plans to integrate 25,000 ex-rebels in various security services in an attempt to restore security and disband the militias made up of the fighters, who helped topple Qadhafi’s regime last year.