The Italian government is ready to boost training of Libya's navy within the European Union's anti-smuggling mission in the Mediterranean, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday.
"We are prepared to step up our efforts, starting with the roll-out of training of Libya's coastguard and navy that is within the mandate of the Irini mission," Di Maio said.
France and Germany are "operationally engaged" in the Italian-led Irini mission, Di Maio recalled.
Di Maio was speaking at a press-conference in Tripoli with his French and German counterparts Jean-Yves Le Drian and Heiko Maas during a visit to Libya - Italy's former colony.
"Our presence in Tripoli shows the unity of intentions of those European countries that are working the most to stabilise Libya," Di Maio said.
As part of efforts to curb migrant flows towards Europe, Italy inked a controversial deal with the UN-backed government in Tripoli in 2017 which promised aid, equipment and training in exchange for Libya's help in fighting people smuggling. The agreement was endorsed by the EU.
