OTTAWA – The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walt Natynczyk, concluded a two-day visit to Qatar, on Thursday, where he met with senior Defense Chiefs and military representatives from Europe, the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and members of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC). The purpose of the visit was to discuss the current state of affairs in Libya and to continue the dialogue about future multi-lateral security and reconstruction activity in the region.
“This is the second Qatari hosted meeting I’ve attended, in as many months, which dealt specifically with the issue of the situation in Libya,” stated General Natynczyk. “The changes we’ve witnessed in that country during the last two months can only be described as incredible. We’re now at a crucial point in helping Libya establish the conditions it needs for a lasting peace, improved security and national prosperity. What I saw during this conference is an important indication of a renewed unity of purpose and cooperation amongst all those nations who joined to support the NTC and United Nations Resolutions in an effort to help protect the Libyan people.”
This conference was convened in Doha, Qatar, by the Qatari Chief of Defense to discuss the near-term security situation of Libya. In attendance were a number of Euro-Atlantic military representatives, including France, Greece, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States; Chiefs of Defense from Egypt, Jordan, Malta, Qatar, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates; as well as several members of Libya’s NTC.
Conference discussions covered many areas, which included various NTC issues; weapons proliferation prevention; and the challenges associated with building a professionalized Libyan security and defence force.
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