Brussels, 29/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU Training Mission for Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia) has been extended for a year, following a decision adopted by the Council on Thursday 28 July. The mission, which was launched in February 2010, will be under the command of Irish Colonel Michael Beary, who will replace Colonel Ricardo Gonzales Elul, from 9 August. The European mission, with 150 soldiers from 14 EU member states, has set itself the new objective of “developing the command and control structures, specialised capabilities and self-training capacities of the Somali national security forces”, a press release states. An aid project to develop Somalia's maritime capabilities was also broached, without any further detail being given. Training will take place mainly in Uganda. Elements of EUTM Somalia will, however, also be based in Nairobi and Brussels. (J.K./transl.rt)