The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, had a telephone conversation today with the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SGSR)and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Ghassam Salame’.
They had a long and fruitful conversation during which Minister Alfano discussed several priority issues regarding the political process to stabilize Libya, in view of the ministerial meeting that will take place in London and the meeting on Libya, scheduled to take place during the 72nd United Nations General Assembly . The London meeting will be attended, among others, also by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
Minister Alfano confirmed Italy’s staunch support to help the SGSR Salame’ carry out a unitary action, avoiding fragmentations and keeping the international community united in supporting the ongoing negotiations.
The Italian minister asked also that the UNHCR and the IOM, two international agencies to which the Farnesina gives substantial contributions, be fully operational in Libya as soon as possible for the protection of migrants’ living conditions and the respect of human rights.
As to the first issue raised, Mr Salamè said that a major step forward was achieved, since an agreement was made regarding the amendment of the Libyan Political Agreement in order to consolidate the path towards the elections and, subsequently, appoint the highest officials.
Mr. Salame’ underlined that a general consensus existed as to the pressing need to review the above agreement in order to avoid a power vacuum. He also added that that all relevant stakeholders must be involved to ensure a fully inclusive dialogue and the unification of all institutions.
Moreover Mr. Salame’ said he fully shared Minister Alfano’s request to bring the UNHCR in Libya as soon as possible, and underlined that he already discussed about it with the the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi.
More specifically, the SGSR Salame’ said that presently adequate security measures are being planned through the assignment of personnel in charge of protecting UN offices and that either in September or October, the UNHCR will be the first UN agency to return to the country. Mr. Salame’ thanked Minister Alfano for what Italian diplomacy has done both in Libya and in New York to facilitate and promote an expeditious process.
Minister Alfano expressed his great appreciation for Mr Salamè’s commitment and expressed the hope that the UNSMIL and the whole UN system may return to Libya as soon as possible.
