News Analysis: Italian naval maneuvers in Mediterranean looking out for economic, strategic interests

Italy has returned navy ships to patrol the sea between its shores and those of nearby Libya, in North Africa. But the goal of curbing the flow of refugees setting sail from Libya or helping provide stability for that war-torn country will still require an international effort, according to analysts.

Until last year, Italian Navy ships roamed the Mediterranean with a search and rescue operation called Mare Nostrum (Our Sea). But the program was discontinued as part of military budget cutbacks.

Experts say the elimination of the Mare Nostrum is one of the main factors behind the dramatic increase in the number of refugees arriving in Europe from North Africa. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the number nearly tripled from 60,000 to 175,000 between 2013 and 2014, and so far in 2015 arrivals are far ahead of last year's pace.

Another factor is the deterioration of the economic and political situation in many African countries, with Libya a prime example: the country is descending into civil war.

But the Italian Navy, according to experts, is focused on Italian business interests and other strategic factors connected to Italy, namely, billions in investments in the country's oil and natural gas sector.

"Libya has always been an important source of energy for Italy, but with the instability in Russia, Libya's importance has grown," Germano Dottori, a professor of strategic studies at LUISS University in Rome, told Xinhua. "For Italy to have a reliable energy supply, the pipelines from Libya must remain open."

That does not mean the flood of refugees or instability in Libya are unimportant to Italy: Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has addressed both issues multiple times this year. But it's Renzi's belief that while Italy can act unilaterally to help protect commercial and strategic interests, it will take international action to help the other problems.

"Renzi has said that Italy will act in Libya as part of a coalition," Gian Pietro Martino, an Italian-born commentator on geopolitical affairs at City College in London, said in an interview. "He has called the refugee problem a European issue. He knows Italy cannot act alone in these areas."

The act of intervening alone to confront the complex problems on the ground in Libya is an especially unattractive prospect, according to Dottori.

"Right now, there is non-consensus on what to do," Dottori said. "Who do you act against? With who? How? The situation is changing far too quickly with too many sides involved."

Martino said it will take a sustained effort to bring stability to Libya. Even though Italy has long ties with its former North African colony, it is not something Italy will be willing to take on its own.

"Renzi remains focused on domestic reforms," Martino said. "Italy is not unsympathetic, but the priority remains economic and political reform at home and not abroad." Endit