We interrupt this cup of coffee for a spit take

New U.S. counter-insurgency partnership in N. Africa to include Libya

WASHINGTON — The United States plans to include Libya in a North African counter-insurgency network.

Libya would become a major partner in the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Partnership. The group involves nine African states, including Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Morocco joined the group in 2005.

The plan to include Libya would increase the intelligence exchange between Tripoli and Washington and lead to U.S. defense and security aid to the regime of Col. Moammar Khaddafy. Officials said Tripoli, opposed by the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, would help prevent Al Qaida from establishing a sanctuary in North Africa.

The U.S. European Command has been discussing with Libya its inclusion in TSCTP, an annual $500 million program that helps train and equips special forces in North Africa. The State Department and Pentagon have encouraged the effort as part of enhanced U.S. military and diplomatic ties with Tripoli.

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