EU could start to train forces outside country - German minister

European training for Libyan forces could more realistically be started outside the country in the initial stages as part of efforts to rebuild the North African state, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Saturday.

Steinmeier and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault visited Tripoli for talks with the new Libyan unity government in a show of support to end fighting among rival factions, and combat militants and migrant trafficking.

"I think it is realistic enough to say we have to start training measures from my point of view outside of Libya," Steinmeier told reporters, when asked about European training plans. He said training could be in Libya later.