Libya and South Africa agreed to strengthen military cooperation during a visit last week by President Thabo Mbeki to Tripoli, press reports said Sunday.
The Sunday Times said consultations headed mainly by Max Sisulu, deputy chief of the arms manufacturer Denel, were held with Libyan defense officials on the sidelines of the visit.
Sisulu told the paper that preliminary discussions had been "extremely fruitful and valuable."
He added that the Libyan air force wanted to modernize its fleet of planes and helicopters, and that South African companies could also supply communications and radar equipment, as well as trucks and armored vehicles.
Public Enterprise Minister Jeff Radebe, who was part of the delegation to Libya, said the talks had been "exploratory." (Albawaba.com)