Tunisia draws up new defence policy with help of US and UK

Tunisia’s Defence Ministry on Tuesday began compiling a “white book” – in cooperation with US and British experts – spelling out the country’s new defence policy, according to Tunisian Defence Minister Ferhat Horchani.

“This ‘white book’ is a vision for the country’s long term security and defence policy,” Horchani said on Tuesday, during a ceremony held to mark the occasion.

He said the book was being composed within “a legislative and constitutional framework” and would be “subject to administrative, financial and judicial control”.

According to the minister, the book will lay down a comprehensive strategy for developing the operational and intelligence capabilities of the Tunisian military and security forces.

It will also lay out a comprehensive national security plan, Horchani added, and make recommendations for harmonising the activities of the country’s military and security institutions, along with other state institutions.

According to Horchani, the book will be completed over the course of the next year.

Ben Moeling, US deputy chief of mission in Tunis, for his part, said the participation of US military experts in drafting the white book “comes within the context of ongoing US support for Tunisia”.

Speaking at Tuesday’s ceremony, Moeling also stressed the need to “take the necessary time to build an integrated security and defence policy [for Tunisia]”.

In May, Washington delivered some $20 million in security aid to Tunisia, which in recent years has been hit by a series of terrorist attacks.