Italy Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio said he was convinced “that there can be no stability in the Sahel without complete stability in Libya.”
Addressing the European Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, the Italy FM stressed “the utmost importance of containing the terrorist threat in the region from the coast to the Gulf of Guinea. It is necessary to strengthen our commitment to help the riparian countries in West Africa.”
Last week, Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita held a telephone call with his Italian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio to discuss the most pressing issues facing the region. The discussions included the latest developments in the situation in Libya.
On Monday, during a meeting with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Dendias, Di Maio stressed the need for the withdrawal of all foreign fighters from Libya, and holding the elections on their scheduled date.
They discussed the latest developments in the Libyan crisis, especially with regard to the Libyan Presidential Council’s decision to suspend Foreign Minister Najla Al-Mangoush on administrative violation charges.
The Greek FM reiterated the need to hold a new summit to give an explicit signal to withdraw foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya, ahead of holding the long-awaited Presidential elections slated for 24 December.
Last month, the Italy FM discussed with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov the political settlement in Libya. The meeting came on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Rome, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The two sides stressed the necessity of further efforts to ensure the inclusivity of political settlement in Libya, ahead of the elections,” the Ministry said.
The talks also reaffirmed the importance of Libyan political leaders taking the steps necessary to hold national Parliamentary and Presidential elections on 24 December.
“Both sides noted the high level of bilateral cooperation and reiterated their commitment to further work to find ways to strengthen political dialogue, expand trade-and-economic research and humanitarian ties. They also discussed a schedule of further political contacts,” it said.