Italy’s Foreign Minister, Luigi di Maio, arrived on Tuesday, in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. This is in spite of the difficult situation the Government of National Accord (GNA) is going through, as the Minister of Interior, Fathi Bashagha, was recently suspended due to demonstrations.
Di Maio is set to get acquainted with the current strife taking place between GNA officials. Bashagha is believed to have been an important figure for Rome, the EU, and the US, as he cooperated in the fight against IS in 2016. He also stressed that the time is right to press for a final ceasefire agreement with Parliament Speaker, Ageela Saleh.
Di Maio is set to visit Tobruk, to meet with Saleh to discuss several issues, including industry and trade. The Italian FM will be accompanied by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Manlio Di Stefano, according to the Italian news agency Nova.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to revitalise the Italian-Libyan Committee for Economic Affairs. This is to deal with the reparations demanded by Italian companies, projects of common interest, and to restore economic relations between the two countries.