Jan. 20 – “What are the principles that will inspire the ‘new’ Libyan Constitution?” asks the 9Colonne Agency. And the answer is “Freedom.” Staff Sergeant Omar Mohammed Abu Shala of Misrata is sure: security forces will be “strong and able to work for the good of the country,” because “our religion requires us to act with humanity towards all.” And the Italian Army will try to play a part in this path towards ‘freedom.’ The sergeant is one of the 340 Libyan soldiers who have been training, as volunteers, with the 80th Regiment of Cassino (Frosinone). Since January 9, a training cycle of 14 weeks is set to complete their infantry platoon training. In recent days, Army Chief of Staff, General Claudio Graziano, visited the Libyan soldiers in Cassino, and commented that the training is “important to create efficient armed forces in Libya that can guarantee the security of the country,” while the experience “will also be a time of growth for the Italian Army.” In Cassino, Libyan soldiers can pray in a hall set up specifically for Muslim prayer, while all food is strictly “halal.” The volunteers attend military training, computer classes, humanitarian law seminars and Italian language courses. Captain Francesca Giardulli is in charge of communications in Arabic and in military jargon. “They are committed – she says – and very patient with us.”
