Italian, French, German FMs meet new Libyan PM

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Thursday visited Libya's capital Tripoli and met with its new Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, reported Xinhua.

The meeting discussed the return of European countries and flights to Libya, strengthening European diplomatic presence in Tripoli, and addressing illegal immigration, according to a statement issued by the information office of the Libyan Government of National Unity.

The statement also said the officials exchanged views on various issues of common interest and preparation for the upcoming Libyan elections later this year.

"The delegation conveyed to the Prime Minister the keenness of their countries to consolidate stability in Libya, due to its great importance in the stability of the neighboring countries and the Mediterranean basin, and that this visit is a unified European message to support the efforts of the Government of National Unity," the statement said.

The delegation highlighted readiness of their countries to provide support and assistance to the Libyan Government of National Unity to fulfill all its obligations regarding many issues of priority, the statement added.

The Libyan Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the position of Germany, France, Italy and all European partners for their support to Libya, expressing willingness of his government to strengthen cooperation and friendship with all countries in order to enhance Libya's role in achieving security and stability in the region and the world.

Libya had been politically divided between eastern and western governments for years, before the Government of National Unity was approved recently by the House of Representatives (parliament).

The new government's main task is to prepare for the upcoming general elections in Libya on Dec. 24, as agreed by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).