Italy's deputy foreign minister says backs Libya's fight against IS
Xinhua, August 10, 2016 Adjust font size:
Italy's deputy foreign minister on Tuesday stressed support for the government of Libya in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).
The Deputy Foreign Minister Vincenzo Amendola paid a visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli on Tuesday, and met with his Libyan counterpart Mohammed Taher Siyala and other senior officials of Libya's UN-backed unity government.
In a press conference following the meetings, Amendola reiterated the support of the Italian government to Libya in the fight against the IS in Sirte.
He said that Italy is willing to set up a field hospital in Sirte to treat the government's fighters who are injured during the battles against the IS.
Bilateral cooperation plans involving enhancing security and tackling illegal immigration were also discussed, Amendola added.
Libya's government has been engaged in a violent war against IS affiliates in the city of Sirte, some 450 km east the capital Tripoli, which has killed and injured hundreds of the government's fighters.
The government of national accord was appointed based on a UN-brokered peace agreement signed by the country's political rivals in order to put an end to the state of division in Libya. Endit