New NATO Hub To Combat Security Threats

NATO defence minister have agreed to create a new defensive hub to combat security threats from the Middle East and North Africa.

The hub will be based at the alliance’s Joint Force Command centre in Naples, Italy, and will be at the heart of NATO’s anti-terrorism efforts to stabilise the southern region.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General, described the centre as a “cornerstone” in efforts to coordinate and understand developments in the Middle East and North African regions, including “developments in Libya”.

"This will be a focus point for increasing our understanding of the challenges stemming from the region, and our ability to address them," he said.

Around 100 staff are expected to be based at the new hub, assessing potential threats and sharing intelligence with partner nations.

The Joint Force Command centre was previously involved during the Libya conflict in 2011, on Operation Unified Protector.

The mission made sure sanctions imposed on the Gaddafi regime were maintained, including the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya, supporting off-shore air strikes and the prevention of weapons smuggling in the country.

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