Foreign minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi on Monday re-launched Italy's appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire in Libya and fresh talks aimed at an inclusive political settlement of the deadly conflict between rival forces in the war-wracked country.
"We are closely watching the situation, which is changing rapidly," Moavero told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels.
"Things are not going well, we need a humanitarian truce, to try and calm down the situation and resume the political process," Moavero underlined.
The EU on Monday called for an immediate ceasefire in Tripoli leading to resumed United Nations mediated negotiations between the warring sides, access to humanitarian aid and the protection of civilians and migrants held in detention centres in or near the war zone.
The appeal was made by EU foreign policy representative Federica Mogherini "in the interests of all Libyans" during talks in Brussels with Libya's United Nations backed premier Fayez al-Sarraj, the EU External Action service said in a statement.
Fighting that began in the Libyan capital Tripoli in early April between eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar's militia and those loyal to the internationally recognised government has killed at least 454 people, injured at least 2,154 and displaced some 60,000, the UN said last week.
