MONROVIA: A Protocol Proposal on Military Cooperation have been officially signed between the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of National Defense, and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
According to a statement from Ministry of National Defense of Liberia, the formal signing ceremony took place Sunday, September 27 in Cairo, Egypt.
The statement said Liberia’s Deputy Minister of Defense for Operations, Spencer G.N. Leeco, signed on behalf of the Liberian Government, while Maj General Walaa Adel Bibers, Assistant Minister of Defense for Foreign Relations signed on behalf of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
The statement indicated that, the military defense cooperation paves the way for a structured, long-term security partnership between the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Liberia and the Ministry of Defense of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Leeco highlighted the historical ties between both nations and underscored the importance of transitioning from informal security engagements to a sustainable, formalized defense framework.
"This ceremony is a milestone in the relations between our countries and indicative of the longstanding diplomatic ties that continue to flourish," Leeco stated, delivering fraternal greetings on behalf of Liberia’s Acting Minister of National Defense, Cllr. Natu Oswald Tweh, and the people of Liberia.
The new framework according the statement aims to establish a predictable annual allocation of specialized training programs.
The statement pointed out that, the Protocol aims to cooperate in the following areas including Military training and education, Intelligence and security.
Others includes Logistics services, exchange of expertise, technicians, and professionals in various military fields’ Special Forces, among others.
The statement noted that, as part of the Protocol, A Joint Committee shall be established comprising equal representation from both Parties to implement the provisions of the Protocol.
The statement indicated that, the Protocol also calls for the appointment of Focal Points responsible for organizing and coordinating the Committee’s activities after its first meeting.
The statement is quoted as saying, to ensure seamless implementation of the newly signed security protocol, the Liberian delegation formally requested the stationing of an Egyptian Defense Attaché at the Egyptian Embassy in Monrovia.
Deputy Minister Leeco the statement said, also conveyed warm wishes from the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Maj. Gen. Davidson F. Forleh, expressing hope for a future high-level visit by Maj. Gen. Forleh to Cairo to directly advance the implementation phase of the security accord.
For his part, Maj Gen Bibers assured Liberia of his country’s fullest support in building the capacities of the military, while also encouraging Liberia to explore over 100 disciplines in which the country could benefit from.
In 2008, Maj/Gen Bibers served as Military Observer for UNMIL in Team 3 in Kakata, Margibi County. In 2009, he was a staff officer at UNMIL Headquarters J2 Collection Coordination and Intelligence Requirements Management (CCIRM).
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