On 4 September, the Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto received the Government of National Unity (GNU) Deputy Minister of Defense for Regions and Military Affairs Abdussalam Zoubi in Rome. Topics discussed included the development of the Libyan Armed Forces’ capabilities, the regional security situation and coordination of security-related efforts in the central Mediterranean, as well as the exploration of new initiatives, particularly in training, in order to promote stability in the Mediterranean.
The meeting was also attended by the Director of the Italian External Information and Security Agency (AISE), Giovanni Caravelli. Zoubi was accompanied by Commodore Abdullah Toumia, Chief of the Libyan Coast Guard.
At the end of the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of continued coordination and consultation to promote shared interests and strengthen military and security cooperation between Libya and Italy. According to an Italian MoD statement, the meeting was an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation in the defense sector and consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries, with the goal of promoting stability in the Mediterranean region.
On the same day, the Italian Minister of Interior Matteo Piantedosi met Zoubi. The talks focused on cooperation on security, migration management, and the fight against organized crime. The Italian delegation included Vittorio Pisani, Head of the Italian Police (Polizia di Stato) and Director General for Public Security, and – again – AISE Director Giovanni Caravelli.
Piantedosi said that Libya is a strategic partner of Italy in the Mediterranean. Constant dialogue between the two countries is essential to address common security challenges. He added that Italy hopes the stabilization process promoted by the UN, with the support of the international community, can continue peacefully. Piantedosi stated that cooperation on managing migration and security challenges continues, as evidenced by the regular technical meetings of the Italian-Libyan task force and the long-standing collaboration on EU-funded border management support projects, which have been implemented under the responsibility of the Italian Ministry of the Interior.
During the meeting, both sides expressed a readiness to explore future strategies for new initiatives—including multilateral efforts—aimed at combating organized crime and enhancing information sharing to promote stability in the Mediterranean region.