(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Italy and Algeria have reiterated their support for UN's special envoy for Libya Bernardino Leon and his efforts to help form a national unity government in the volatile country.
"Italy's policy on Libya is clear. We support the efforts of UN special envoy for Libya Bernardino Leon towards the formation of a national unity government in Libya," Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi told a joint press conference at the end of the third ministerial level summit between Italy and Algeria Wednesday.
Renzi said that this was a European issue that required the cooperation of European partners at all levels.
Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal also backed the UN mediation efforts in Libya.
"We support the establishment of a national unity government in Libya which will prepare a constitution, and move the country to new elections," Sellal said, adding that use of force would lead to nowhere.
He also said that Algeria would continue to work with Italy towards encouraging dialogue to render Mediterranean "a region of peace and security".
Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since a bloody uprising ended the decades-long rule of strongman Muammar Gaddafi in late 2011.
Since then, the country's stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, each with its own institutions and military capacities.
Vying for legislative authority are the Tobruk-based House of Representatives and General National Congress that convenes in the capital Tripoli.
The two assemblies support two rival governments respectively headquartered in the two cities.
Delivered on April 29, Leon's draft proposal for a political agreement among Libya's opposing factions calls for a two-year transitional period and for all parties to respect the results of parliamentary elections.
The proposal also calls for extending the mandate of the country's constitution-drafting assembly.
Seven inter-governmental agreements
Wednesday's meeting between Italy and Algeria also saw the signing of seven inter-governmental agreements in politics, sports, agriculture, cultural cooperation, and science and technology.
"Algeria is a big producer of natural gas and oil. I made a proposition to Prime Minister Renzi regarding taking a step towards ensuring the energy security supply of Europe via an axis between Italy and Algeria," Sellal said, adding that a further joint project could also be proposed regarding marketing electricity to Europe from Algeria through Italy.
The two countries have a partnership in natural gas supply through the Trans-Mediterranean Pipeline, which transports natural gas from Algeria to Italy via Tunisia and Sicily.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.