On 11-13 June, Saddam Haftar, Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Land Forces and son of the LNA head Khalifa Haftar, visited Italy.
During the visit, he met a number of senior political and military leaders. On 12 June, Saddam met with Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and, separately, Defence Minister Guido Crossetto. The two sides reportedly discussed common challenges, including mass migration, border security, and trans-border crime and smuggling. Both Italian policy-makers confirmed their commitment to all initiatives aimed at fostering Libyan stability and reconciliation, emphasising that a stable Libya is of crucial importance to Italy.
On 13 June, Saddam met with the Chief of Staff of the Italian Armed Forces, General Luciano Portolano. They reportedly discussed mechanisms for enhancing military cooperation and exchanging expertise between the two sides.
On the same day, Saddam also met with the Chief of the Italian Naval Staff, Admiral Enrico Credendino. They reportedly discussed ‘ways to support cooperation between the Libyan and Italian naval forces, and to coordinate joint efforts to enhance maritime security in the Mediterranean basin, and to address the risks and threats facing the region.’ The two sides also agreed to organise ‘specialised training courses for a number of Libyan naval units, with the aim of enhancing their efficiency in using modern methods to protect coastal and territorial waters.’