Tripoli – Officials from the interim Libyan Government of National Unity and the Italian embassy met on Thursday to discuss resuming commercial flights between the two nations.
The meeting comes after a brief resumption of flights in July, when a single flight between Libya and Italy took place. The unity government is now seeking to fully restore regular air travel that has been suspended for security reasons.
Minister of State to the Council of Ministers Adel Jumaa and Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi led the talks in Tripoli. The officials addressed finalizing protocols to reopen the airspace in accordance with the bilateral aviation agreement.
Also on the agenda was planning for an upcoming Italy-Libya Business Forum aimed at strengthening economic ties and trade. The unity government is prioritizing partnerships between small and medium enterprises in the two countries.
Attendees at the meeting included Deputy Minister of Economy Suhail Abu Shakha, Director of the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority Muhammad Shalibek, the Italian Embassy’s economic advisors, and other Libyan officials.
The resumption of flights with Italy, Libya’s major European partner, has been a priority for the interim government since taking office last year. Italy is also home to a significant Libyan diaspora community.