Libya has received 20 Italian-made Puma wheeled armoured vehicles personnel carrier Italy 0303131.

These armored vehicles were donated by the Italian Armed Forces to the new Libyan army, a gift that will bring closer Italy to its former colony which was a close ally of the Soviet Union, its main arms supplier.

The PUMA military vehicles were delivered to Libya by the Italian defense Minister Di Paola during a visit to Tripoli where he met General Mohamed Al Barghati. “We are prepared to help the new Libyan government by providing vehicles, training and a border control system”, Mr.Di Paola said during a ceremony hosted on the occasion.

“Libya is strategically important to Italy. We want the country to be stable and secure. We were among the first to come here immediately after the liberation to reaffirm our friendly ties. There are several agreements for cooperation projects that have already been signed, such as the one on integrated surveillance of Libyan borders,” added the Italian defense minister.

For his part, Gen. Al Barghati, Libya’s defense minister, thanked Italy for its support during the revolution, saying that several Libyans are currently being trained as military specialists and officers in Italy. “There will be more Italian arms deals”, he stressed.

The two countries defense ministers also held talks on the training of Libyan police and armed forces, bilateral cooperation to combat illegal immigration, strengthen borders security and monitoring as well as navy rebuilding.