A field report published by the Italian news agency Nova confirmed that Italian Vice Admiral Marco Casapieri has taken command of the European naval and air operation “IRINI,” tasked with enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya, succeeding Italian Admiral Valentino Rinaldi.
The announcement was made during an official ceremony at the Centocelle air base in the Italian capital, Rome, where Rinaldi handed over his duties to Casapieri after a command period that began in July 2024.
Rinaldi explained that his priority during his tenure was to enhance “IRINI’s” role as a maritime security provider in the Mediterranean Sea, noting that “despite the Mediterranean’s importance to the European Union’s interests, it remains a source of instability and confrontations between regional and international powers.”
He added that the operation has always acted with “impartiality and balance,” especially in tasks related to combating oil smuggling. He highlighted that one of the most significant achievements was the formalization of dialogue with Libya through the first technical meeting in Rome with the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, with the participation of EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando.
For his part, Casapieri affirmed that “IRINI” continues to provide a solid foundation for the UN-sponsored political process in Libya, alongside enhancing European maritime security. He said, “Our partnership with the Libyans is growing, and the dialogue is beginning to turn into tangible cooperation, which is a great responsibility that must be shouldered.”
Irish General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, stated that the appointment of a new commander comes in an international and geopolitical context that has brought Libya back to the forefront. He emphasized that the choice of another Italian figure to lead the operation is evidence of the importance the European Union places on Italy in the Libyan file.