A total of 86 Libyan coast guard and Navy personnel are in Italy to attend a training course under new European protocols to control immigration as part of the EU naval mission 'Operation Sophia'. The officers and junior officers, including three tutors who will oversee personnel in training, have been assigned to the Italian Navy's school for junior officers inTaranto, Puglia.

 Participants were selected by EU Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med), also known as Operation Sophia, EUmember states and some international organizations.Courses on maritime law, rescue operations and asylumDuring the intensive course, which runs until November, Libyanpersonnel will receive training on navigation rules,international maritime law, search-and-rescue operations, international human rights, asylum request procedures, first aidand medical emergencies at sea, among others. Libyan personnel will attend two different training modules of eight and three weeks respectively. The first is aimed at studying ''activities aboard cutters'' and the second at training instructors.

Courses are included in the ''Training Package 2'', in compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by 2016 by Admiral Enrico Credendino, commander of Operation Sophia, and Commander AbdullahToumia, a Libyan coast guard commander.

Training for the security of Libyan waters

The objective of training is to increase the security of Libyan territorial waters, improving the know-how of coast guards andthe Navy in fulfilling their institutional tasks, in search-and rescue operations and in the fight against illegal trafficking.A reported 136 personnel have been trained as of today byEUNAVFOR Med aboard naval units in territorial waters in Crete,Malta and Italy. Ever since the start of Operation Sophia, 117suspected traffickers have been apprehended and turned over toItalian authorities and 482 vessels have been seized.The European Council last July 25 extended the mandate of EUNAVFOR Med until December 31, 2018.