TRIPOLI: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Libya on Tuesday to sign cooperation agreements with leaders from both administrations in the North African country.
Accompanied by a ministerial delegation, Meloni held discussions with leaders from both administrations in Libya, focusing on bolstering cooperation in various sectors.
During her second visit to Libya since assuming office in October 2022, Meloni met with the head of the Tripoli-based government, Abdelhamid Dbeibah, to finalize several “declarations of intent” aimed at enhancing collaboration. According to Libyan officials, these agreements encompass areas such as health, education, research, youth, and sports.
The cooperation agreements include provisions for promoting university exchange programs, research initiatives in renewable energy and ocean-based economic activities, and facilitating access to medical treatment in Italian hospitals for Libyans, particularly children, when such care is unavailable locally.
The agreements are part of Meloni’s “Mattei Plan,” named after Enrico Mattei, the founder of the Italian energy company Eni, who advocated for cooperation with African nations in developing their natural resources.
In addition to meetings with Dbeibah, Meloni also held discussions with Mohamed al-Menfi, the head of the Libyan transitional presidential council. Menfi’s office emphasized the importance of Italian companies’ participation in reconstruction projects and ongoing consultations in combating terrorism and illegal migration.
After her visit to Tripoli, Meloni traveled to Benghazi to meet with military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who supports Libya’s eastern-based administration. The Italian delegation’s engagement with various Libyan actors underscores Italy’s commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation across the country.
Libya has faced persistent political instability and violence since the overthrow of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, resulting in a divided political landscape with competing administrations in Tripoli and the east.
