Khalifa Haftar received in Benghazi a high-level delegation from the Italian government headed by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli, the head of Italian intelligence, Gianni Caravelli, and a number of Italian government officials.
In addition to Haftar, his son Khaled, who was assigned as the chief of staff of the recently-created security units, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior in the parallel government, Faraj Agaim, attended the meeting.
The media office of Haftar's forces reported on Facebook that the Italian delegation's visit came within the framework of "discussions and exchange of views between the two countries, and to strengthen partnership and cooperation in the security, economic and commercial fields."
The statement cited the Italian side as reaffirming “the Italian government’s support for all efforts to strengthen the political process and hold presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya to reach a period of permanent stability.”
Last May, Haftar visited Rome and met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in addition to his meetings with the Italian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defense.
Italian media reported at the time that Haftar's visit to Rome included talks with senior officials in the Italian government about illegal immigration issues, the situation in Sudan, and the political process sponsored by the United Nations.
