The Italian politician Marta Dassù has stated that the crisis in Libya remains a priority for Rome. Dassù served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the government of Mario Monti, from 2011 to 2014.
She indicated in statements that Italy’s foreign and defense policy was doomed to be become a secondary victim of COVID-19. The Libyan crisis is an example of this, she said, adding that Italy did not respond to the call for help by the Government of National Accord (GNA). The GNA decided that Italy was an unreliable ally and accepted Turkish military assistance.
She noted that the result is now that Turkey controlled western Libya. This has paved the way for the division of Libya between regional powers.
Dassù stressed that Italy has strong interests in Libya, especially economically, through the Italian oil giant ENI, which is heavily invested in Libya.
There is also the issue of the Mediterranean migrant crisis, which is being exacerbated by the global pandemic. Italy must focus on a solution for the crisis in Libya, she claimed, as it did not have any other option.