Foreign minister Luigi Di Maio sent congratulations Friday to premier Giuseppe Conte's diplomatic advisor Piero Benassi on his promotion to cabinet under-secretary with responsibility for Italy's intelligence services.
"Congratulations to Ambassador Piero Benassi for his appointment to such an important and sensitive role," Di Maio tweeted.
"This is further confirmation of the great value of the members of our diplomatic service," the tweet added.
A career diplomat, 62-year-old Benassi has served as Italy's ambassador to Germany and to Tunisia.
