Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini warned he would not “stand by” if France were to block peace in Libya.
Salvini, speaking on the Italian radio station Rtl 102.5, said that if there were economic interests behind the chaos in Libya, if France blocked a European initiative to bring peace, Italy won’t stand by and watch.
He added that at the end of the day it will the Italians would pay the consequences if fighting ensues in Libya.
Salvini warned that if someone for business interests plays at war, then this time they’ve found the wrong minister in him.
Libya is locked in crisis after eastern strongman General Khlaifa Haftar launched an offensive against the UN-backed government in Tripoli.
Reuters reported that France on Wednesday blocked a European Union statement calling on Khalifa Haftar to halt his eastern forces’ offensive in Libya, diplomatic sources said, in the latest example of how the bloc’s internal divisions have undercut its global sway.
The draft statement, seen by Reuters, would have said that the military attack launched by Haftar on Tripoli was “endangering the civilian population, disrupting the political process and risks further escalation with serious consequences for Libya and the wider region, including the terrorist threat.”
Last week Salvini said that “a particular country” which he did not name is pushing towards a military solution in Libya to achieve economic interests.
Salvini said on the sidelines of the G-7 interior ministers meeting in France that he had received information from his country’s intelligence service about developments in Libya, stressing on the need for pacification.
“This country is seeking to achieve economic and commercial interests and wants an armed solution,” Salvini added, saying that “this will be devastating”.
In an address to the nation on Saturday, Sarraj accused Haftar of betrayal by launching a sudden attack on Tripoli while efforts were being exerted to settle the conflict peacefully through the UN-backed National Conference.
He demanded the countries backing the warlord to stop it, saying all troops were put on high alert to repel the attackers.
In the initial stages of the Haftar’s offensive against Tripoli, Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj summoned French Ambassador in Libya Béatrice du Hellen to officially protest France’s support to warlord Khalifa Haftar’s armed groups in their attack on Tripoli.
Sources indicated that Sarraj delivered a strong-worded protest to the French Ambassador for her country’s link to the current attack on the capital.
There is speculation that France is fuelling the fighting in western Libya by giving the green light to Haftar to attack and seize Tripoli in a bid to have the lion’s share in the country’s energy resources.
Via La Repubblica and Reuters
