Stabilising Libya is crucial to stopping people smuggling and Italy is urging Europe-wide action on migration and the security threat it poses, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio wrote Thursday on Facebook.
"Stabilising Libya means stopping irregular migration and reducing the risk of terrorism. Doing so is crucial for Italy and Europe's security - this is why we are pushing hard for action involving the entire European Union," Di Maio wrote on Facebook.
Referencing an international conference on Libya in Berlin, which he attended on Wednesday, Di Maio said the discussions had included "all actors".
"There are two priorities: the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries from Libya and holding democratic elections set for 24 December," Di Maio wrote.
"We support the Libyan people in their journey towards this important vote."
Italy is meanwhile looking to strengthen trade ties with its former colony, a process involving top Italian companies which took part in a bilateral business forum held at the foreign ministry in Rome in May, Di Maio noted.
"Italy has always believed in diplomacy and this approach is now attaining concrete results," Di Maio wrote.
