Italy concerned about continued flow of arms as fuelling conflict in Libya

30 Mai 2020

Tripoli, Libya, May 30 (Infosplusgabon) - Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday expressed his country's concern over "the prosecution by external parties in the shipment of arms to Libya", saying that "it is an escalation which contributes to fueling the conflict and prolongs the suffering of the Libyan people and constitutes a threat to Libya's neighbors and European security."

This position emerged during a telephone discussion between Mr. Conte and the President of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord in Libya, Fayez Al-Sarraj, during which the Italian Prime Minister stressed "the need to take the political road, in accordance with the decisions of the Security Council and the Berlin Conference ", according to a press release published on the media office of the president of the Presidential council.

The Italian official added that the determination of the future of Libya "should be in the hands of Libyans alone and not in external hands", as he welcomed "the desire of the Government of the National Accord to find a political solution to the Libyan crisis."

He also stressed "the importance of speeding up the appointment of a new United Nations envoy to Libya", highlighting "the need to restore Libyan oil production, as it represents the wealth of all Libyans and their main source of income."

For his part, Al-Sarraj affirmed that "the political solution is what the Government of National Accord seeks after the aggression is defeated".

He stressed that "the flow of arms towards the party of the aggressor didn't stop, but rather increased in the end."

He considered the "countries supporting the party of the aggressor by providing it with weapons as an encouragement to continue the aggression," the statement said.

The President of the Presidential Council also called for "Italy's aid for detection and clearance", stressing "the crime of trapping and laying of mines in residential areas which has caused the death of a number of citizens who returned to inspect their homes."

The two officials also exchanged views on the European maritime operation IRINI to implement the arms embargo on Libya.

Mr. Conte stressed that the operation was "impartial and committed to its tasks in a completely neutral manner", while Mr. Al-Sarraj renewed "the position of the Government of National Accord according to which the operation should be integrated to include the ground, the air and the sea to be efficient."

The two sides also discussed the issue of illegal immigration and the development of coordination mechanisms on this subject between the competent authorities of the two countries.

According to the press release, Mr. Al-Sarraj called for "real support to the Libyan Coast Guards that they continue to play an effective role in rescuing migrants."

During the discussion, Al-Sarraj and Conte stressed the importance of coordination and consultation between the two countries, and welcomed the positive results obtained in the face of the coronavirus pandemic crisis and the importance of continued cooperation between Libya and Italy to deal with the repercussions of this pandemic.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/LMP/GABON2020

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