Italy's FM urges more diplomatic efforts to resolve mounting Libya crisis

The crisis in Libya needs to be swiftly attended to by the powers that be, Italian foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Wednesday when addressing Italy's lower house.

"A political solution is the only way out of the Libyan crisis, and we ask the diplomatic community to strengthen its efforts," Gentiloni declared.

However, Italy's FM warned that time was running short for diplomacy, as the situation on the ground is deteriorating.

"As negotiation takes its first steps, the situation in Libya is getting worse," the minister said.

"The time available (for diplomacy) is not unlimited and it may soon expire, jeopardizing the fragile results achieved through the mediation of the United Nations (UN) supported by Italy," he said.

The risk is that local armed groups and fighters of radical Islamic State (IS) will join forces in Libya, a threat which requires international diplomatic efforts to be redoubled before it is too late, according to Gentiloni.

"We expect the UN Security Council on Wednesday will show a clear awareness of the need of promoting political dialogue in Libya," he added.

On Tuesday night, Gentiloni held phone talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on the issue, the Italian foreign ministry said.

The United States, Italy, France, Britain, Germany, and Spain also issued joint statements on Tuesday condemning "all acts of terrorism" in the country, saying "the international community is ready to fully support a national unity government to meet the current challenges faced by Libya."

This was after the recent killings of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians recently carried out by terrorists affiliated with the IS.

The joint statement came ahead of an emergency session of the UN Security Council today, during which Egyptian and Libyan foreign ministers were due to brief the UN on latest developments in their respective countries.

Also this week, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi discussed the Libyan issue on the phone with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the two countries being among the most vulnerable should the conflict escalate further.

Egypt launched air strikes on IS positions in Libya on Monday, a day after the militant group released a video purportedly showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian citizens. Egypt has also called for an UN-backed military intervention in the country.

Italy closed its embassy in Tripoli on Sunday due to security fears, as IS fighters appeared to be advancing and fighting had intensified. Most of the Italians residing there were evacuated back to Italy. Endit