Updated

The head of the U.S. Africa command has warned against the threats to stability in Africa from militant groups and proliferating weapons.

The state news agency reported Tuesday that Gen. Carter Ham said these elements represent a "real danger" than can only be resolved with regional and international cooperation.

Speaking to local press Monday night, Ham complimented Tunisia's democratic process saying other countries were "making no headway."

Ham said the region was threatened by terrorist organizations, especially al-Qaida, who he said are benefiting from recent coups in Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and the flood of weapons from Libya.

Ham has visited Tunisia twice since the government fell 16 months ago in a popular uprising. U.S. military aid to Tunisia has since doubled to $32 million.