Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi arrived in Benghazi on Tuesday where he met with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Piantedosi led a top delegation which included Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli and foreign intelligence chief Gianni Caravelli.
According to a statement by LNA’s media office, Piantedosi’s visit comes “within the framework of dialogue and exchange of views between the two friendly countries, and to strengthen partnership and cooperation in the security, economy and trade”.
“The Italian side appreciated the pivotal role of the General Command of the Armed Forces in combating terrorism and extremism, and its great efforts to reduce illegal immigration,” reads the note from the Libyan army.
The Italian delegation also affirmed Rome’s support for “all efforts made to strengthen the political process and hold presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya to reach a stage of permanent stability.”