Italian PM holds phone talks with Egyptian President on Libyan security situation

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Monday discussed the fight against advancing Islamic terrorism in Libya during a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Renzi's office said.

"At the center of the talks, there was the fight against terrorism, especially with regard to the situation in Libya, and the political and diplomatic steps under a framework established by the United Nations (UN) Security Council to restore peace and security in the country," a statement from the Italian government office said.

During the phone call, Renzi also expressed his condolences over the recent killing of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians kidnapped by the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Libya, the statement added.

On Sunday, Italy closed its embassy in Tripoli due to security concerns as the IS appeared to be advancing and the security situation there had deteriorated. As well, many Italians residing in Libya were evacuated back to Italy.

Renzi on Monday ruled out the prospect of Italy carrying out an immediate military intervention in Libya. "It is not the time for a military intervention," he said in an interview with Italy's Mediaset television, stressing the importance the UN must play in this regard.

"Our proposal is to wait for the UN Security Council. The strength of the UN is decidedly superior to that of the radical militias," Renzi said, calling for "wisdom, prudence and a sense of the situation."

Meanwhile, countless migrant arrivals from the Libyan coasts have further increased amid rampant unrest and instability in the country. The Italian coast guard at the weekend rescued more than 2,000 people in a major Mediterranean sea operation, local media reported. Enditem