Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has sought to improve security in Libya a year after the Al Qaida-aligned attack on the American consulate in Benghazi.

Officials said the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of Marine Corps guards to protect U.S. diplomatic and other facilities.

“At the request of the Department of State, Marines from these units were sent to eight posts in advance of the Sept. 11 anniversary,” Deputy Assistant Defense Security Gary Reid said.

The United States has pledged to support Libya’s military and security forces.

Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama has relayed assurances of U.S. aid to develop Libya’s military and police.

“We are working very hard to try to increase the capacity of the [security forces],” U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Darryl Roberson, vice director for operations for the Joint Chief of Staff, said.

On Sept. 19, Roberson told a panel of the House Armed Services
Committee that Washington withdrew personnel from Libya and several other
Middle East countries because they could not protect the American presence.

On the same day, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke by phone with
newly-appointed Libyan Defense Minister Abdullah Al Thani on military
cooperation. Officials said the two officials reviewed proposals for U.S.
programs in the North African state over the next year.

“Secretary Hagel highlighted the United States’ support to Libya and its
people during its transition,” Pentagon press secretary George Little said.
“The two leaders discussed how the United States military can assist
training for Libyan security forces and strengthening regional security
through stability and rule of law.”

Little did not cite examples of U.S. military cooperation with Libya.
But other officials said Washington has offered training and equipment to
regain control of Libya’s long border.

One proposal called for the training of 8,000 Libyan soldiers at U.S.
bases in Bulgaria. Officials said the training would take
place until the end of the decade.

  A year after Benghazi, Abdullah Al Thani, Chuck Hagel, Gary Reid, Maj. Gen. Darryl Roberson, U.S. vows to provide security support in Libya