ROME: Italy has welcomed the parliamentary vote to form a national unity government to lead Libya to elections in December.
The vote granting confidence to the national unity government led by Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah is “a key step towards ending a decade of chaos,” said Italy’s Foreign Ministry, adding that it is “an important and encouraging result on the path to normalization” in Libya. “It opens the way for an effective institutional transition in the name of the country’s unity.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said: “After a decade of conflict, Libyans have shown great will and determination in overcoming differences through dialogue.”
The parliamentary vote is “further evidence of this renewed sense of unity,” he added. “Achieving such a result appeared difficult until a few months ago.”
Di Maio reiterated his “sincere appreciation for the unremitting efforts” of the UN and the secretary-general’s Special Envoy Jan Kubis to achieve “peace and stability in Libya.”
Italy’s government reiterated the “deep historical ties and friendship with Libya,” adding: “Italy remains close to the Libyan people. We are ready to cooperate and support the government.”
Rome called for “the complete withdrawal of all fighters and foreign mercenaries from the country, the start of a national reconciliation process, and the provision of essential services to the Libyan population.”
