Brussels, 13/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - Defence ministers from the 5+5 Group (five EU member states, namely Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Malta, and 5 from North Africa, namely Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania), met in Nouakchott (Mauritania) on Sunday, where they announced the setting up of a temporary headquarters for intervention in the event of crisis, explained French defence minister Gérard Longuet, saying that it was France's idea and had been agreed to, but would now need further research and assessment. Mauritanian Finance MinisterAhmedou Ould Idey, who was hosting the meeting, said an action plan would be drawn up next year for training, exchange visits and joint training exercises.
The ministers discussed the security situation in the Sahel region and the fight against terrorist groups, particularly to combat AQMI (the Al-Qaida of North Africa) which has been causing problems in the Sahara-Sahel region. Even before Gaddafi's fall from power, the region was felt to be very dangerous and this may well deteriorate due to the spread of arms seized from the battlefields in Libya and the arrival of heavily armed, former mercenaries, mostly Touaregs, who had fought for Gaddafi. In his introductory comments, Idey urged everyone to work to undermine the sources of terrorism and push back the hostage-takers by refusing to pay the ransoms they are demanding. In Nouakchott on Sunday, Morocco took over the rotating chairmanship of the 5+5 group for 2012. (FB./transl.fl)