Latest news with #MatteoPiantedosi
Libya Review
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Italy Commits to Ties with Eastern Libya Despite Benghazi Fallout
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has played down Tuesday's diplomatic incident in Benghazi, where a European Union delegation, including Italian officials, was denied a scheduled meeting with representatives from eastern Libya. Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai on Wednesday, Piantedosi clarified that the meeting was cancelled due to resentment on the Libyan side over the overzealousness of some of the EU representatives. He added that the earlier leg of the visit in Tripoli had been 'very insightful,' stressing that the unexpected cancellation would not derail Rome's ongoing cooperation with Libya. 'We will keep moving forward in the fight against human traffickers,' Piantedosi said. 'There is a structured relationship with Libya, and one incident will not undermine our longstanding cooperation.' The visit was part of broader European efforts to manage irregular migration across the Mediterranean. In Tripoli, Piantedosi had announced that Italy would provide four new rubber patrol boats to Libya's coastguard, underlining Italy's support for Libyan-led efforts to curb migrant departures. He also praised Libya's recent steps in repatriating migrants, particularly amid a surge in arrivals of Bangladeshi and Eritrean nationals to Europe via Libya in 2025. Meanwhile, the Libyan government appointed by the House of Representatives and supported by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar declined to host the EU delegation in Benghazi. Tags: benghaziItalylibyaMatteo Piantedosi
Libya Review
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Italy to Provide Boats to Libyan Coast Guard to Curb Migration
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has commended Libya for its efforts in returning irregular migrants to their home countries, stressing the need to continue and strengthen bilateral cooperation. Speaking at a migration conference held in Tripoli on Tuesday, Piantedosi said Rome appreciates 'the significant efforts made by Libya since last year to repatriate irregular migrants,' especially through the operation of migrant shelters. He highlighted that 'bilateral cooperation channels are very important and must be maintained,' announcing that Italy is ready to deliver four inflatable patrol boats to the Libyan Coast Guard as part of recent joint agreements on border management. 'We recognise the great work Libya is doing to curb or prevent irregular migration by sea,' Piantedosi added. 'However, this year has seen a notable rise in the number of migrants reaching Europe via the Libyan route—particularly nationals from Bangladesh and Eritrea.' He expressed confidence that the partnership with Libya would yield 'practical solutions,' saying Italy's strategic vision aims to reduce migrant flows not only across the Mediterranean but also overland. The Tripoli conference brought together Libyan and European officials to address growing concerns over migration through North Africa. Libya remains one of the main departure points for migrants attempting to reach Europe, many of whom face dire conditions in overcrowded detention centres. Italian and EU support has increasingly focused on reinforcing Libyan border control capacity and improving conditions in migrant shelters—efforts that have drawn both praise and criticism from international human rights groups. Tags: Interior MinisterItalylibyaMatteo Piantedosimigration
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Migration Commissioner expelled from Libya as 'persona non grata'
Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, was on Tuesday declared "persona non grata" and asked to depart Libyan territory upon arriving at the airport of Benghazi. The order was issued by the Government of National Stability (GNS), the rival of the internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU). The former controls the city of Benghazi, and the latter controls Tripoli. The expulsion also applied to Matteo Piantedosi, Italy's minister of internal affairs, and a delegation of Greek and Maltese officials. They had all travelled to the country to discuss the recent surge in the departure of irregular migrants from Libya to Europe. In a press release signed by Prime Minister Osama Saad Hammad, the Government of National Stability denounced what it called "flagrant contravention of established diplomatic norms and international convention," and "actions that demonstrably disregard Libyan national sovereignty", without providing specific details. "Consequently, the scheduled visit (...) was rescinded upon their arrival at Benina International Airport in the city of Benghazi," the press release says. "They were duly informed of the imperative to depart Libyan territory forthwith and were declared persona non grata." It was not immediately clear what prompted the expulsion. The European Commission did not immediately reply to a request for comment. This is a developing story.
Ya Biladi
02-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Italy arrests 24-year-old Moroccan over alleged ISIS-related posts
Italian police have arrested a 24-year-old Moroccan national in Bergamo for promoting jihadist propaganda online. The man, who had over 5,000 followers on Facebook, is accused of inciting terrorism through reels and posts «glorifying armed jihad and suicide attacks carried out by ISIS militants», Italian media reported on Tuesday. According to authorities, the suspect had previously lived in Modena and was under investigation by Bologna's District Anti-Terrorism Directorate and the city's Cybersecurity Operations Center. The arrest was carried out by the Bologna State Police. The man allegedly shared more than 60 jihadist-themed posts, including videos and chants typical of «ISIS propaganda». In one reel posted in December 2023, he shared an image of a computer keyboard and a Quran, overlaid with the ISIS emblem and text reflecting extremist ideology. Other posts featured songs calling for «martyrdom and violent jihad», as well as imagery linked to known ISIS figures such as Abu Osama Al Tunisi, who died in Syria in 2017, the same source added. «We are in a preliminary phase of judicial investigations. This is a reminder to remain highly vigilant, especially in these times. But the effectiveness of our police remains our greatest reassurance», said Italy's Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, commenting on the case.
Libya Observer
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Italy sees rise in migration amid renewed Libya tensions
Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi has reported a slight uptick in irregular migration from North Africa, citing renewed tensions in Libya as a key driver. In comments to the Italian news agency ANSA on Monday, Piantedosi said the unrest in Tripoli since mid-May has led to a modest increase in the number of migrants leaving Libya's shores and arriving in Italy, compared with the same period last year. 'We are witnessing renewed conflict among factions in several North African countries, including Libya,' he said. 'This has contributed to a slight rise in arrivals on Italian coasts.' The minister stressed that Rome is developing stricter controls on migration as part of efforts to stabilise the situation and safeguard national interests. 'We cannot afford to overlook any factor when it comes to protecting our country,' Piantedosi added. He also pointed to instability in the Middle East as a contributing factor, prompting Italy to step up surveillance and internal security measures. Tags: Italy illegal immigration
