On 11 February, the Italian Minister of Interior Matteo Piantedosi visited Benghazi, where he was received at the HQ of the General Command by Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar. Piantedosi’s delegation included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli, Director of Italy’s Foreign Intelligence Agency AISE (Agenzia Informazioni e Sicurezza Esterna) Gianni Caravelli, and several other high ranking Italian officials. Haftar was accompanied by his son Khaled, Chief of Staff of the LNA, Secretary General of the LNA Lieutenant General Khairi al-Tamimi, and other senior officials.
The Italian Interior Minister conveyed the greetings and appreciation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Haftar, highlighting his role in maintaining security and stability in Libya. For his part, Haftar underscored the depth of Libyan‑Italian relations, grounded in mutual respect, and expressed his commitment to further strengthening joint cooperation.
Discussions centred on renewing and expanding cooperation between Italy and the eastern authorities, particularly in the field of internal security. Both sides emphasized the need to strengthen joint efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. The talks also addressed the growing challenge of transnational criminal networks, with a shared commitment to counter human trafficking and organized crime operating along migration routes.
Migration management featured prominently, recognizing the realities of LNA-controlled eastern and southern Libya. The focus was on the role of the LNA in securing the southern land borders with Egypt, Sudan, and Chad, as well as monitoring potential coastal departures. At the end of the meeting, both sides stated their mutual commitment to intensify cooperation against terrorism, transnational organized crime, and human trafficking, and to coordinate on border control measures.
No formal agreements or treaties were publicly announced. The outcomes were framed as political understandings and a decision to ‘strengthen’ and ‘relaunch’ existing channels of security cooperation.