Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Council Ahmed Maiteeq met Thursday with the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini at the Italian Ministry of the Interior in Rome to discuss the illegal immigration issue and its consequences on both countries.
In a joint press conference held after the meeting, Maiteeq stressed the need to support the Presidential Council government in terms of the voluntary repatriation of illegal migrants and on those who are picked up from the sea, in addition to reactivate the supporting program that includes equipping the Libyan border guards in the south region.
He also called for lifting the UN ban on sale of weapons and military equipment to the Libyan Coast Guard to help stem flow of migrants towards the EU shores.
For his part, Salvini called for the continuation of all treaties with the Libyan state, stressing that the Italian government is constantly seeking with the European partners to provide real support for the Libyan authorities in order to tackle the illegal immigration issue.
Salvini praised the efforts made by the Libyan government in the migration file and the outstanding work of the Libyan Coast Guard in saving the lives of migrants.
It has also been announced that an international conference is to be held in Tripoli in September, where all countries affected by illegal immigration will be invited as well as other relevant states on this matter.
