Libyan, Italian Officials Discuss Enhancing Co-op Ties, Further Support

On Tuesday, deputy prime minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Ahmed Maitig held talks with a number of Italian officials in Rome to discuss the country’s latest developments.

During Maitig's meeting the Italian Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, the latter confirmed his country's “full support for intra-Libyan dialogue processes under the auspices of the UN, and in particular the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, as they look to hold elections in December 2021.”

He called for an “acceleration of political dialogue through an inclusive and constructive approach by the parties involved, with the aim of unifying the country’s institutions.”

The chief of Italian diplomacy repeated his government’s “firm opposition to any form of external interference in Libya,” and his “hope that the reunification process of Libyan financial institutions will continue.”

Di Maio also confirmed Italy’s interest in strengthening bilateral economic collaboration through the Italian-Libyan Joint Economic Commission, as well as shared work on security and migration, with the revision of the bilateral memorandum of 2017.

He said the appointment of a new UN special envoy for Libya is “urgent” and asked for the agreement on the cease-fire “to be implemented without hesitation.”

The foreign minister said it was essential that the coastal road between Sirte and Misurata was reopened and that all foreign fighters and mercenaries were withdrawn.

Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese confirmed that Italy is “close to the Libyan people and offers maximum support for the government of national agreement in the stabilization process of the territory.”

She said that in recent months several members of the Italian administration had the opportunity to meet regularly with their Libyan counterparts.

“We always had a frank and constructive dialogue to strengthen the bond between our two countries,” she said as she reiterated “the closeness to the Libyan people and the utmost support for the government of national agreement in the stabilization path of Libya.”

She added: “Italy has always been and firmly intends to remain on the side of Libya in the process of strengthening its institutions and economic and social revival.