This week, PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba arrived in Rome for an official visit with a senior Government of National Unity (GNU) delegation, focusing on energy and economic cooperation.
The GNU delegation included Minister of State for Political Affairs and Communication Walid al-Lafi, Minister of State for Prime Minister and Cabinet Affairs Muhammed Ben Ghalboun, Deputy Minister of Defence Abdul Salam Zoubi, Ministry of Justice Undersecretary Ali Ashtawi, Libyan Ambassador to Italy Muhannad Younes, and other senior officials.
On 7 May at noon, PM Dabaiba was received by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi, the official seat of the Italian Council of Ministers and the residence of the Italian PM. During the meeting, the two prime ministers discussed ways to ‘further strengthen the already solid bilateral cooperation,’ focusing in particular on economic ties, energy‑sector investment, and migration management. Meloni also reiterated Italy’s full support for a Libyan-led political process facilitated by the United Nations to stabilize the country.
During the talks, the two sides emphasized the need to speed up joint gas projects and broader energy cooperation, stressing that advancing these projects has become even more urgent, especially in the light of challenges in regional and international energy markets and the growing requirement to strengthen the stability and diversification of energy supplies.
Moreover, a proposal by the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce for the activation of a bilateral working group on compliance, payments, customs and legal certainty of trade was discussed in the light of the Libyan side’s payment difficulties, legal uncertainties, and complex procedures that continue to hinder economic relations between the two countries.
Irregular migration, border control, and repatriation were also among the main topics addressed.
Meloni and Dabaiba ‘reaffirmed their shared commitment to managing migration flows.’ They reviewed the main cooperation activities within the framework of the quadrilateral mechanism between Libya, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar to combat irregular migration. Dabaiba reportedly emphasized ‘the importance of strengthening operational coordination’ and supporting Libyan capabilities in controlling land borders and coastlines. The two leaders highlighted the need to intensify efforts to combat human trafficking networks and cross-border organized crime, in a context where Libya continues to serve as one of the main departure points along the Central Mediterranean route.
The two sides also addressed the issue of repatriation and voluntary return programs for migrants, as well as coordination with states and international organizations to ensure a balanced approach to the issue that takes into account humanitarian considerations and Libyan sovereignty. Dabaiba stated that ‘Libya bears a considerable burden in this matter on behalf of the entire region,’ calling for a ‘more serious and effective international partnership’ based on shared responsibility and support for Libyan institutions.
The transfer of Libyan prisoners sentenced in Italy was also addressed at the meeting. Both sides reiterated the need to speed up implementation of their prisoner‑transfer memorandum, allowing Libyan nationals convicted in Italy to serve their sentences at home in line with Italian judicial procedures and the bilateral legal framework governing judicial cooperation between the two countries.