Italy's special envoy to Libya, Pasquale Ferrara, said security is need for the return of Italian companies to work in Libya, saying the Government of National Unity (GNU) should prove its ability to ensure the safety of the companies' personnel ahead of any move.

Speaking at a hearing by the Italian House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, Ferrara said security guarantees by the GNU are highly essential in bilateral relations between Rome and Tripoli, adding that the issue of reopening airspace between the two countries also needs security guarantees, not to mention that one of the preconditions to begin work on the highway is a security plan by Libya to be approved by the Italian companies and presented to the embassy for further approval, according to AKI news agency.

Ferrara said that after seeing the prevention of GNU meeting in Benghazi by militias, it is clear that the government control over the entire country isn't a solid fact, yet it shouldn't hinder Italian investment in bilateral relations with Libya for the future without getting our hopes up on the short-term expectations.