The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Menfi, arrived Tuesday in Rome on an official visit where he first met with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Menfi and Draghi discussed a number of issues of joint interest including cooperation, combating illegal immigration, border security, elections, and national reconciliation.
During the meeting, Draghi affirmed his country's support for the political track and the Presidential Council, while Menfi stressed the importance of partnership and cooperation with Italy as Libya's strategic partner in various fields.
The two officials also agreed on the necessity of coordinating bilateral security and political efforts through official channels.
Meanwhile, the 5+5 Joint Military Committee (JMC), announced that it will not reopen the coastal road west of Sirte before tightening security measures and ensuring its safety.
A delegation of the committee inspected the road and announced that several urgent repairs still need to be made and will be implemented by a company in the coming days.
The committee also noted that the security arrangements committee met with the field operations rooms of the two warring parties for the first time to coordinate efforts.
Earlier, the unity government announced the reopening of the coastal road which sparked a conflict with some members of the JMC committee and some officials in the Libyan National Army (LNA).
The head of the LNA delegation, Lieutenant-General Amraja al-Amami, asserted that several procedures need to be implemented to ensure that all land mines have been removed and maintain the safety and security of citizens.
Amami indicated that the 5 + 5 committee decides when to re-open the road, which will only happen with proper arrangements, without putting the safety of the citizens to risk.
He also supported Sirte residents who protested the unilateral announcement of the prime minister of the unity government, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, to open the road.
