TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's defense minister says his country is talking to Berlin about allowing German forces to train Libyan soldiers on Tunisian soil.

Farhat Horchani told the official TAP news agency on Tuesday that Tunisia "agrees in principle" with such an arrangement. It would allow Tunisia to help with Libya's reconstruction under a fledgling unity government. He provided no details of the talks.

Tunisia shares a border with chaotic Libya where the Islamic State group is on the rise.

Britain announced on Monday that it's sending about 20 troops to Tunisia to help combat illegal border crossings.

"We can help the Libyan national unity government extend its authority" by accepting troop training in Tunisia, Horchani said.

Germany's visiting interior minister offered Tunisia military equipment, including sophisticated explosive detectors and all-terrain vehicles.