The Italian Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio has reaffirmed his country's support for the Tunisian-based Libyan dialogue led by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

This came during a telephone conversation with the acting UN Envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams," according to a statement by the Italian Foreign Ministry.

Di Maio said that he was pleased to see the Libyans at the LPDF agree on a road map to hold elections on December 24, 2021.

The Italian top diplomat stressed that there should be no parallel initiatives. The Libyan negotiating space must be protected from external and internal interference as it may weaken the frame of reference of the LPDF, the Italian "Nova" news agency quoted Di Maio as saying.

Italy signed on Thursday an agreement under which it would grant 450,000 euros to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Libya as an initial contribution to support political dialogue in the country.