Italy’s defence ministry said yesterday it would strengthen co-operation with Libya, citing a willingness for improved relations with the war-torn country’s UN-recognised government.
Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini met in Tripoli yesterday with Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of Libya’s Government of National Accord, the ministry said in a brief statement.
Both countries will collaborate on reclamation and demining activities, the ministry said, while expanding co-operation in medicine and military health within the Misurata hospital, which it said would be moved to a “more functional area”. The statement also cited construction of a new hospital centre in Tripoli, and a plan to train Libyan military officers and cadets. The ministry cited a “mutual willingness” to co-operate on defence “for an improvement” in relations.
Libya’s unity government, with Turkey’s backing, is battling forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar.
Prime Minister of Libya’s UN-recognised Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj meets with Italian Minister of Defence Lorenzo Guerrini (second left) in the capital Tripoli, yesterday.
