Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Libya has sought to launch military reorganization and
modernization amid rising unrest.

Libya’s new defense minister said he was studying models for the
reorganization of the North African military. Mohammed Al Barghathi, the new
defense minister, said the effort has been hampered by internal and foreign
adversaries as well as an insufficient budget.

“We are ready to build the army on sound and correct bases, but there
are enemies of Libya inside from the former regime who are still active in
undermining the internal situation and influencing some leaders,” Al
Barghathi said.

In an interview with the Saudi-owned A-Sharq Al Awsat, Al Barghathi said
Libya was seeking to cooperate with a range of countries including Egypt and NATO. He said Libya was preparing training programs to transform former rebel militias into an effecting combat force.

“We certainly sought the help of several expertise from various
countries, among them Canada, Australia, India, Pakistan, Jordan and Egypt,” Al Barghathi said. “In fact, Egypt opened its doors to excellent training and the exchange of expertise. We are proceeding with excellent steps.”

Still, the 71-year-old Al Barghathi acknowledged that the the
Russian-equipped Libyan military, led by Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Yusef Al Manqoush, remained
hampered by unrest and foreign plots. He said remnants of the former regime
of the late Col. Moammar Gadhafi were trying to stop reorganization and
modernization.

“We have taken measures to get rid of some of them and established a
commission,” Al Barghathi said. “All the commanders that are impeding the
building of the army will be removed from power.”

Al Barghathi said he envisioned a small but modern army in Libya, one of
the largest countries in Africa. He said the military, still under a United
Nations embargo, would require aircraft as well as what he termed “special
weapons” in such missions as border security and counter-smuggling.

“Gaining control of the entire Libyan territory in terms of banning the
militias and the extremist groups will definitely give us the chance to
obtain sophisticated weapons,” Al Barghathi said on April 23. “We are
waiting for the additional year [of the UN weapons ban] to expire so that
Libya can import weapons, especially from the countries that are helping it
in this.”

Al Barghathi said the military has sent hundreds of officers to Arab and
other countries for training. The defense minister also played down reports
of militia attacks on military bases in the south or the prospect of foreign
military forces.

“We might seek help in future by bringing a very, very limited number of
elements for superior training from friendly countries, foremost among them
Egypt,” Al Barghathi said.

  Libya searching for outside help against inside enemies, Maj. Gen. Yusef Al Manqoush, Moammar Gadhafi, Mohammed Al Barghathi