The United Nations-backed Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj on Tuesday met with Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio in Tripoli and discussed bilateral cooperation, reported CGTN Africa.
“The meeting covered in great detail economic cooperation through the Joint Economic Committee, as it was agreed to expedite its activation so that Italian companies would return to resume suspended projects and implement new ones,” the statement issued by the Libyan PM’s information office said.
The statement added that the two leaders have agreed to continue cooperation between Libya and Italy against the coronavirus pandemic. The Italian minister ensured that his country was ready to provide the necessary assistance in facing the repercussions of the pandemic.
According to the statement, the two leaders also stressed the need to start the political process in Libya, confirming that the international community must provide support for the cease-fire in the country and the political, military and economic solutions. The meeting also discussed the urgent need to reopen Libya’s oilfields and ports and resume oil exports immediately.
Serraj and the Speaker of the eastern-based House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, recently issued statements calling for a cease-fire in the country, reopening the country’s oilfields and ports, holding elections, and calling for the demilitarization of Sirte and Jufra, which would mean the withdrawal of Haftar’s forces.
Renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar’s forces have dismissed the ceasefire announcement, claiming that the GNA was preparing to attack Sirte. The LNA called the ceasefire as a “marketing” stunt.
Haftar launched an offensive to seize Tripoli from the internationally recognized GNA in April 2019. The internal conflict has claimed thousands of lives so far.
The conflict has since led to regional rivalries, with Haftar’s forces being supported by Egypt, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates and the GNA having the support of Turkey and Qatar.
