Palestinian Authority policemen have been receiving training in a number of
police and military academies in Libya, Gen. Adnan Damiri, spokesman for
the PA security forces in the West Bank, revealed on Wednesday.
The fact
that PA policemen had been studying in Libya was not known until now. Most of
the Palestinian policemen have been receiving training in Jordan and
Egypt.
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Damiri said that the PLO Embassy in Tripoli was now working to
help the policemen leave Libya. He said that the embassy has received
instructions from PA President Mahmoud Abbas to provide assistance and shelter
to 43 officers who were studying in police academies and military colleges in
Libya.
Another 26 policemen who were studying at Libya’s Naval Academy
recently returned to the West Bank through the Allenby Bridge, the PLO Embassy
in Amman said.
PA officials said that altogether, 104 civilians and
policemen were enrolled in universities and police and military academies in
Libya.
The officials estimated the number of Palestinians living in the
North African country at around 70,000. Others have put the figure at
100,000.
Many Palestinians began leaving Libya after the popular uprising
against Col. Muammar Gaddafi began two weeks ago.
Palestinians have
expressed fear that Gaddafi would turn against them for allegedly supporting the
anti-government demonstrations.
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