The Director of the Program of the Counter-Terrorism Office at the US State Department, described the situation of Libyan airports in the past as being unable to secure passengers and goods from terrorist threats – according to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in its report, which sheds light on the security situation at airports and its relationship to terrorism over the past decade.
The newspaper quoted Avila as saying in a blog post on the US State Department’s website, which he said that the political fragmentation and security vacuum in Libya had “created vulnerabilities that terrorists and other malicious actors sought to exploit” – as he described it.
On the beginning of America’s work in this regard 4 years ago, Avila said that the Office of Counter-Terrorism of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the Libya Aviation and Airport Security Program in 2018, “and it was aimed at assisting Libyan partners in facing security threats and specifically assisting Libya in preventing terrorists and illegal materials.” From crossing through Libya to the countries of the world, it also lays a decisive foundation for the re-establishment of a US diplomatic mission in the country, and the reopening of Libya to global travel.”
In September of last year 2021, a fully equipped training center was opened in Tripoli. It is the first of its kind and allowed the Libyan trainers to train more of their colleagues in airport security. So far, the Libyan trainers have trained 160 airport employees at the training center.
The program focused on supervisors, managers and airport inspectors from 5 international airports in all three regions, to identify and intercept terrorist activity in line with international standards.
Since its launching, the program has benefited 350 delegates, and the trainees have worked with the US Department of State and local experts. “The program, known as “Coleman”, has also developed a culturally appropriate approach to teaching passenger screening in accordance with international standards and best practices,” the official explained.
The American program did not neglect the participation of Libyan women in this field, as Avila explained that 37 Libyan women have participated in the program.
This program is the second of the societal and security programs that the United States is working on inside Libya, as at the beginning of this year, it announced an open competition for projects that improve the principle of accountability and justice, and strengthen the rule of law in Libya.
