TRIPOLI / Mohamed Erteima / Anadolu

Italian Joint Special Forces Operations Commander Paolo Buzzotti and Libyan Government of National Unity Chief of Staff Salahuddin al-Namroush discussed on Thursday ways to train Libyan special forces.

This came during a meeting between the two sides in Rome, a day after al-Namroush arrived in Italy on an official visit to boost military cooperation, according to a statement by the Libyan Army General Staff on Facebook.

The statement said the two sides 'discussed ways to raise the level of training and qualification for Libyan special forces personnel by enhancing cooperation between the two sides and benefiting from Italian expertise in this field.'

It added that the meeting 'discussed ways to develop a comprehensive training plan targeting Libyan special forces personnel, contributing to the development of their operational capabilities and raising readiness and efficiency.'

The statement clarified that this 'comes within the framework of the military partnership and ongoing cooperation between the military institutions of the two countries.'

Relations between Libya and Italy are witnessing notable growth in a number of files, especially military ones. On June 11 last, the joint Libyan-Italian committee concluded its work in Tripoli, focusing on enhancing areas of military cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Libyan Army and the Italian side, supporting efforts to develop the military institution and raise its readiness.

In 2008, Libya and Italy signed a friendship, partnership and cooperation treaty in political, economic and other fields, including Italian investments worth $5 billion for 25 years from the date of signing, but it has been stalled for about 15 years due to the events of the February 17 revolution that toppled Muammar Gaddafi's regime.

In May 2021, al-Dbeibeh called for resuming work within the joint committees between Libya and Italy to follow up on the provisions of the friendship, partnership and cooperation treaty signed in 2008.

In October 2024, the Libyan Government of National Unity and its Italian counterpart signed eight agreements and memorandums of understanding in various fields.