Deputy foreign minister Emanuela Del Re on Friday welcomed Natalina Cea's appointment as head of the European Union's Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM), saying it recognised Italy's role in the war-ravaged country.
"Congratulations to Natalina Cea for the appointment as head of mission of EUBAMLibya, a challenging and prestigious position that recognizes the Italian role in Libya and the great value and professionalism of Natalina Cea," Del Re tweeted.
The European Union Council - the bloc's top decision-making body - on Thursday announced its pick of Cea, a civil servant, to lead EUBAM from 1 February.
Cea will take over from Vincenzo Tagliaferri, who has headed EUBAM since 1 September 2016, the European Council statement said.
A civilian mission deployed within the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy, EUBAM began on 22 May 2013. Its aim is to help Libyan authorities smash organised people trafficking networks that smuggle migrants to Europe and to combat terrorism.
