Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) condemned on Thursday Italy’s decision to send more troops to Libya as a clear violation of the country’s sovereignty.

The National Defense and Security Committee of HoR said in a statement that the Italian parliament’s vote to deploy more troops to Libya’s Misrata is “recognition of presence of these troops despite previous denial.”

The Committee warned Italy of the consequence of “continued violation of the country’s sovereignty”, demanding their Italian counterpart to provide explanations about the vote.

The Italian parliament on Wednesday approved the increase of Italian troops in Libya.

Reuters reported that some 400 soldiers are expected to work in Libya, up from about 370.

In September 2016, The Italian government dispatched around 100 soldiers from the parachute regiment to Misrata to provide protection to the Italian field hospital, which was set up to treat Al-Bunyan Al-Marsoos fighters.