Italy pledges full support to new UN envoy to Libya

(With POL-UN-LIBYA) ROME, June 22 (KUNA) -- Italy's Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano pledged Thursday his country's full support of the newly appointed Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salame in carrying out his diplomatic tasks successfully.
Alfano expressed confidence in Salame's ability to perform his role and duties wisely and peacefully, affirming Rome's commitment in achieving stability in Libya and providing support to the North African country through its non-permanent membership at the UNSC, Italian foreign ministry said in a statement.
He also expressed his sincere congratulations to Salame on his new post, which was appointed to him earlier by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Meanwhile, the Italian minister said that his country is currently not in favor of the military option to exit the Libyan crisis, adding that the country's fate should remain in the hands of its people.
Libya is a strategic and historic partner with Italy, he said, pointing out the importance of the Italian-Libyan economic forum, slated for July 7 in Agrigento, in highlighting the two countries' bilateral ties. (end) mn.ma