For Italy, the priority in Libya is for the turmoil-wracked country to complete its transition period leading to stability and national elections later this year under a United Nations roadmap, deputy foreign minister Emanuela Del Re said on Thursday.
“Getting through the lengthy transition phase in Libya remains an absolute priority for Italy which firmly supports the action plan of United Nations envoy Ghassan Salame," she told representatives of Italian non-government organisations at the foreign ministry in Rome.
"He is holding talks in Rome today with premier (Giuseppe) Conte, who is personally following developments in Libya," the statement quote Del Re as saying.
Del Re expressed appreciation for the activities of Italian NGOs in Libya, which they carried out "with professionalism and humanity" she said, according to the statement.
The Italian government sharply increased its aid to Libya last year, especially to humanitarian projects aimed at helping the most vulnerable as well as projects to boost development and capacity-building, said the statement.
Italy also gave 46.7 million euros to Libya from its Africa Fund in 2017-2018 and worked with the country and UN agencies to fight people-trafficking, the statement added.
