Several countries will be joining an Italian and Maltese air and naval exercise later this week focusing on maritime search and rescue and law enforcement.

Algeria, France, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia have all accepted the invitation to participate in Canale, with various naval units, patrol boats, aircraft and personnel at the operations planning level.

The Armed Forces of Malta, which this year is organising and coordinating the annual exercise, said the aim is to promote cooperation and peace in the Mediterranean.

The exercise has been divided into a number of distinct phases, each designed to train participants in a number of different skills. "All assigned tasks will focus towards soft issues rather than more traditional combat skills," the AFM said.

The exercise aims to improve cooperation and the operational capabilities of the participating air and naval forces.

The focus will be on areas such as the use of common standard procedures, training for and planning search and rescue operations, explosive device disposal, and the countering of illicit activities and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The exercise will also implement a common communications plan for the command and control of joint and combined operations at sea.

Italian and Maltese government officials will be hosted on board the Italian Ship Aliseo to observe activities.