The deadly warfare gripping Tripoli, its security implications and the state of bilateral relations were the focus of talks between Italy's envoy Giuseppe Buccino and Libya's internationally recognised premier Fayez al-Serraj, the Presidential Council said on Facebook Thursday.
Buccino and Sarraj "discussed the latest developments concerning the security situation and the consequences of the aggression on the Libyan capital, as well ties between the two friendly countries," said the Presidential Council's post.
Buccino and Sarraj's meeting came over two months after eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army militia began an assault on Tripoli in early April that sparked fighting between the LNA and militias loyal to the Sarraj government.
During his talks with Buccino, Serraj expressed his "appreciation for Italy' position" and said his government would continue to fight Haftar's "aggression", the Presidential Council's post said.
Buccino reiterated Italy's backing for Sarraj's government, its opposition to Haftar's military offensive and support for the resumption of UN facilitated peace talks to end the conflict between the warring sides and to stabilise Libya, the post added.
"The ambassador underlined his country's position, which rejects the military aggression and attacks against civilians and civil infrastructure and argues that there can be no military solution to the Libyan crisis," the post said.
Forces loyal to the Sarraj government are "advancing along the entire frontline" in southern Tripoli, the Presidential Council stated.
Casualties from the fighting are being receiving treatment in Italian field hospitals in Libya - a former Italian colony - the Presidential Council said.
The toll for the ongoing conflict in Libya's capital is 653 dead, including 41 civilians, and 3,547 wounded, including 126 civilians, the UN World Health Organisation in Libya reported last Friday.
