The premier's office on Monday
denied media reports that Italian special forces were gearing to
intervene in Libya.
"In relation to some news that appeared in today's press, we
categorically deny the preparation of an intervention on the
part of Italian special forces in Libya," it said in a
statement.
"Italy continues to follow with attention the evolution of
the situation on the ground and it has already publicly
expressed concern as well as an invitation to immediately cease
hostilities together with the United States, France and the
United Kingdom".
Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini ruled out
Italian military intervention in the Libya crisis.
"I exclude military interventions that don't solve anything,"
he said.
"And others, too, should understand it".
"Italy must be the protagonist of pacification in Libya. The
incursions of others who have other interests must not prevail
over the common good which is peace".
Salvini said earlier he was in touch with Italians in Libya
amid clashes by rebel militias that have prompted the UN-backed
government to declare a state of emergency in the capital
Tripoli.
"I am in direct contact with our men: soldiers, diplomats,
and ENI staff who are experiencing in Libya risks caused by a
senseless military intervention," Salvini said.
He said no harm had yet to be reported.
Italy's embassy in Tripoli is to stay open despite an attack
on the national-unity government by rebel militia, foreign
ministry sources told ANSA Monday.
They said the embassy "remains operational but with a more
flexible presence, which is being assessed on the basis of the
needs and the security situation".
Some 400 prisoners escaped from a jail in the Libyan capital,
authorities said Sunday, as fighting between rival militias that
has killed dozens of people forced the U.N.-backed government to
declare a state of emergency in and around Tripoli.
The European Commission said Monday "we urge all parties in
Libya to immediately cease hostilities".
A spokesman said "there is no military solution for the
situation in Libya, only a political one".
"The escalation of violence is undermining a situation which
is already fragile.
"Violence will only lead to more violence to the detriment of
the Libyans".
At least 47 people have been reported dead and 129 injured
in eight days in clashes between armed militias in the capital
Tripoli, according to the latest toll provided by the Libyan
health ministry, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said
in a statement.
UNSMIL called on all sides affected by the conflict to
meet Tuesday at midday in a place to be announced at a later
date after deadly clashes over the past few days.
UNSMIL called for an "urgent dialogue on the current security
situation in Tripoli", based on resolutions of the Security
Council and the offer of the UN secretary general to mediate
between various Libyan sides.
Back in Italy, government sources said no government summit
has been scheduled so far on the Libya crisis.
Oil giant ENI said Monday its activities in Libya were
proceeding as normal and "there are no expatriated staff present
in Tripoli".
The fighting in Tripoli erupted last week when the Seventh
Brigade, militias which hail from Tarhouna, a town about 40
miles (60 kilometers) south of Tripoli, attacked southern
neighbourhoods of the capital.
The Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigades and the Nawasi Brigade,
militias which support the U.N.-backed government, have come to
the city's defense.
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