The Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha met Wednesday with the Italian counterpart, Luciana Lamorgese, in Rome and discussed illegal immigration issues, Libya's Anti Illegal Immigration Authority said on Facebook.
The two ministers discussed the obstacles facing Libya in dealing with the flow of illegal immigrants as the Italian Interior Minister said Italy won't leave Libya alone in this dilemma.
"Italy will be providing Libya with technical assistance for the efforts of fighting illegal immigration. Of course, the European Union should take part in these efforts and assist Libya." The Italian Interior Minister indicated, saying Italy is preparing for training programs for Libyan navy personnel, hailing Libyan Interior Ministry's efforts in fighting illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, Bashagha said this delicate issue needs security cooperation between Libya and Italy, adding that despite the offensive on Tripoli by Khalifa Haftar's forces, the Interior Ministry is still exerting efforts to find solutions for the illegal immigrants.
"There is pressure on Italy from the EU due to the illegal immigration flows, but Libya is suffering more from it and it constitutes a national security threat." Bashagha said, adding that the proposal of settling illegal immigrants in Libya is totally rejected in Libya.
He added that some development projects should be launched in southern Libya and then doing the same in the source countries of immigrants.
The two ministers agreed in the meeting to form a joint committee of experts to follow on the implementation of the points discussed in Rome.