Italy pledges full support to new Libyan government

(AGI) Rome, Dec. 28 - Italy is ready to respond quickly if Libya requests assistance, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said on Monday during a meeting with Libyan Prime Minister-designate Fayez Al-Serraj in Rome. It was the first visit of Al-Serraj to Europe since a political deal was closed on Dec. 17 in Skhirat, Morocco. Renzi expressed full confidence in the ability of the new Libyan authorities to cope with the upcoming challenges, starting with the formation of a government and the completion of the institutional framework. A statement issued by the prime minister's office said that the new Libya can count on the strong support that Italy, in coordination with the international community, intends to give to ensure the restoration of essential services while creating a solid foundation for economic and social development and for the stabilisation of the country, with particular reference to the fight against terrorism and human trafficking. Italy is ready to respond quickly, and the necessary framework of international law, if Libya requests assistance, the statement added. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. The agreement for the formation of a national unity government was signed by the delegates of the Libyan factions on Dec. 17 in Morocco. The ceremony was attended by some 200 Libyan MPs, tribal leaders and politicians in addition to the foreign ministers of Italy, Qatar, Turkey and Tunisia and the host country. The agreement was countersigned by the UN envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, and followed by a dozen other politicians, tribal representatives and the association of Libyan society. The unity government must present a new Constitution which has to be subjected to a referendum within a year. After that, elections will be held and a new parliament and government formed. But the unity government will also have to disarm the militias, a task that has proved impossible since Muammar Gaddafi was ousted four years ago. The United Nations issued a resolution on Dec. 23 in which it called on all counties to respond positively to requests for help in the coming months from the legitimate government of Libya. According to the agreements of Skhirat, a new government should be installed by the Presidential Council in January. The new team should address the most urgent economic, humanitarian and security needs of the Libyan people. . .