Tunisian Interior Minister Lotfi Ben Jeddou stands behind a long table displaying high-tech military gear at the El Aouina military base in Tunis. It is all part of a ceremony intended to mark a turning point in the country's battle against terrorism.
At Ben Jeddou's side for the August 14th event is US Ambassador to Tunisia Jacob Walles, who says the equipment on the table is only a small portion of "more than ten tonnes of bulletproof vests, helmets, shields and other personnel protective gear that the US government is providing today to the National Police and the National Guard".
A fortnight ago, Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa sent a letter to US President Barack Obama that was delivered by Foreign Minister Mongi Hamdi during the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington. The letter included requests for military equipment.
The US ambassador came to El Aouina to hand over the US response.
"The body armour and personnel protective gear will help save the lives of Tunisia's security officers and allow them to be even more effective in their efforts to dismantle the groups that are terrorising the Tunisian public and seeking to destabilise the democratic transition and the upcoming elections," Walles said during the handover ceremony to Ben Jeddou, National Security Minister Rihda Sfar and National Police and National Guard officials.
"Together with the training that we are providing, this equipment will help give the security forces the tools and tactics they need to provide security for the Tunisian people," the ambassador added.
Walles stressed that since the revolution, the US had provided more than $100 million dollars of aid to the Tunisian army.
Nearly $60 million more is allocated for next year. This aid includes equipment to detect IEDs and new boats for Tunisia's navy, the American diplomat added.
"Most significantly, the United States will soon make available to the Tunisian Air Force 12 UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters to aid in the fight against terrorism," Walles said.
Defence Minister Ghazi Jribi has expressed the need of the Tunisian army for helicopters that can be used at night to carry out operations in mountainous areas.
The new equipment arrives at a critical time for Tunisia, according to military analyst Abdul Baset Mathlouthi.
He told Magharebia: "The message behind it is clear, which is that Tunisia has friends and is not alone in facing the scourge of terrorism."
"I think the American gift came at a crucial stage in the history of Tunisia, as we are preparing to hold free and fair elections, leading to the establishment of a stable government that can achieve the aspirations of the Tunisian people in terms of security and prosperity, " agreed activist Munir Mkaouar.
"Tunisia needs the help of its friends," he added. "Especially as it is unable to pay the cost of armaments, which are expensive for countries with extremely limited resources and in transition," he said.
© Magharebia.com 2014
