As Libyan parties continue to have different standpoints towards the commitment to France’s mediation and the outcomes of the meeting, hosted by Paris in May, Italy seemed to follow the path of French diplomacy in the Libyan crisis file in which Italian Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta arrived in Tripoli coming from Tunisia.
In renewal of French-Italian disputes, Trenta who arrived with General Claudio Graziano said: “we do not believe that an acceleration of the electoral process can bring stability,” adding that the north African nation also needed “reconciliation, the return of security and political work”.
“Italy and Libya share the same home, the Mediterranean, and the same resources, but also the same problems, and one of them is definitely migration,” Elisabetta Trenta told a press conference held late at Rome Ciampino airport.
She confirmed to the Libyan PM Fayez al-Sarraj “Italy’s willingness to start activities – according to the needs and requirements of the Libyan people – aimed at stabilizing the internal security of the country, and, as such, strengthening its sovereignty,” according to a statement by the Defence Ministry.
Meanwhile, Sarraj demanded that Italy backs the Italian request to partially lift the weapons’ embargo in order to arm a force to fight terrorism, the presidential guards and the guards of oilfields.
In a related matter, President of the High Council of State Khaled Al-Mishri considered, during his meeting with French minister of foreign affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, in Tripoli on Monday, that the struggle in Libya is between two parties- one that believes in democracy and another that rejects it.
Mishri voiced concerns of the council about some obstacles that might hinder the referendum over the constitution and holding the elections on the agreed-upon date due to the parliament failure in reaching the quorum to issue the elections law.
French foreign minister saw that the solution must be political through implementing Paris Declaration and committing to Skhirat agreement.
TunisianMonitorOnline (AA)
