At talks in Rome, far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini and his new Libyan counterpart Fathi A.A. Bashaaga agreed to boost cooperation between Italy and Libya's police, also to counter terrorism more effectively, the interior ministry said late Thursday.
During what was Salvini and Bashaaga's first meeting, the two ministers on Thursday also gave a green light for the joint training of Libyan police officers, according to the interior ministry statement.
Italy is seeking to play a leading role in efforts to stabilise its turmoil-wracked former colony. To this end, an international conference is taking place in Palermo, Sicily on Monday and Tuesday which Italy hopes the main Libyan power-brokers and key international players will attend.
