Libya. Interview to the Italian Ambassador in Tripoli Giuseppe Perrone, 'the need to de-personalize' policy. Salamè? He has a right approach'
October 5, 2017
Giuseppe Perrone.
edited by Vanessa Tomassini for notizie geopolitiche -
The situation in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, is extremely rugged and complex, from all points of view. The first factor that explains its complexity, from a geographical point of view, is the extension of its area, so vast as to make it the fourth African country and the eighteenth in the world for physical dimensions. During its history it has always been considered a single region, but has repeatedly seen the existence of two major territories, Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, with different cultures and ideologies completely opposed soventemente. But the invaders, colonizers and dictators, that have occurred over the centuries, have always found it convenient to consider it as one entity. Former Italic colony overlooking the Mediterranean around the Gulf of Sidra, between the tenth and twenty-fifth meridian east. From the political point of view the country is divided into two governments: the Presidential Council of Tripoli, recognized by the international community and headed by Fayez al-Serraj, and the Chamber of representatives of Tobruk, who as president Aguila Saleh Issa. Despite the strength of the Libyan National Army, which failed so far to incorporate all armed militias in Libya, the situation in the country after 2011 is mired in a severe crisis, economic, health and especially security, which happens to be totally absent in some southern areas, where armed clans clash for different reasons with each other. Taking advantage of this chaos, the country has become a breeding ground for the proliferation of the jihadist galaxy ideas, especially Isis and al-Qaeda, as explained by the Libyan general prosecutor Sadek Assour at a recent press conference in the capital, they found refuge in Sahara desert and in different cities. Just yesterday there was the last terrorist attack in the city of Misurata which caused several deaths and about twenty wounded, relief efforts by health authorities field hospital in the same town, run by an Italian mission. The escalation of violence and insecurity have led Western diplomatic missions to leave the country, over the years. Only in January this year Italy has reopened its embassy in Tripoli closed for two years. A signal of friendship to the Libyan people, but also a strong confidence in the stabilization of the country through which passes much of the illegal immigration from the African continent headed towards the Italian coast. From January to date we have been many activities carried out by the Italian diplomatic team on behalf of reconciliation and trying to improve the living conditions of the Libyan people, plagued by innumerable sufferings. In order to fully understand the complexity of all Libyans phenomena, even in relation to recent diplomatic meetings, we reached the ambassador Giuseppe Perrone, with whom we have deepened much of the most interesting and topical points.
-Ambasciatore Perrone, What are the activities of our embassy? What active Italian missions in Libya today?
"The Italian Embassy in Tripoli, being the only Western still present embassy, has a very wide range of activities going on, that we ourselves find it hard to understand, so this is big amount. This is of course to follow the political process so our support, our impetus to the ongoing political dialogue to overcome the division of the fact that there is still in the country, so all initiatives to promote reconciliation, but at the same time, Italy through the embassy in Tripoli, is very committed on the side of promoting stability and security. Of course the initiatives to control illegal migration flows and the fight against human trafficking represent a point very top of our operational agenda. This is an aspect that includes different types of initiatives, from those purely securitarian, aimed at strengthening the capacities of the Libyan security agencies, other initiatives which instead have a character development, designed to support the communities affected by the phenomena of illegality. Italy's presence, as the only Western country to Tripoli, and Libya, is particularly felt and appreciated by the Libyan people. The Embassy, with all its activities concerning the granting of visas yet-input as a single country - and its services to the population is seen as a constant and reliable reference by the Libyan people. As for Italian missions in the country we have a major health mission, humanitarian in the city of Misrata with the field hospital that is still open in the city and provides care and assistance to the wounded. Yesterday there was a terrorist attack and our hospital was quick to provide assistance to those affected by the attack. Then we have the naval mission, which was recently approved by the Italian government and that is here in Tripoli, which is providing substantial support to the Navy and the Libyan coast guard, helping them get back on their feet and to strengthen their ability to exercise sovereignty Libyan in all areas and in all regions of the country."
-In Libya we know to be a strong lack of security. What does this mean for you and for our officers? Have you ever been in dangerous situations?
"Of course Libya extreme fragmentation of security still lacking a unified army and working under a chain of command recognizable and attributable to political authority. This brings challenges and problems. It involves episodes of lack of security and a heightened risk of which we are all aware. The Italian Embassy in Libya works with an adequate system of protection and this is part of the political investment that our country does - does it in Libya and does so safely - putting together all that is necessary to enable the diplomatic mission to function. There are definitely situations of risk, but every time they are faced with great professionalism by the staff and in cooperation with relevant departments Libyans who have always ensured collaboration and absolutely effective presence".
-L'intervento stranger is not always frowned upon by many Libyans. After the news of the approval of Italian naval mission, which mentioned before, we know there have been protests. The recent visit to Rome of General Khalifa Haftar has disappointed anyone?
"Itis true that the naval mission was born with a mixed reception, where there have been several criticisms in particular in the east of the country to a foreign interference fear. When we explained pervasively and all stakeholders in the country What was this mission, which was namely to strengthen the sovereignty of Libya rather than weaken it, it is also completely changed his perception. Compared with a message of support to Libya, the welcome we got was extremely favorable and we have already seen much of the important results, giving an essential contribution to the reduction of illegal migration flows to Europe. Yesterday, for example, the first Libyan navy boat came out at sea a long time. We are helping the body of the Libyan defense back on their feet."
- newspaper,followed by other media in the international press as the The Guardian has reported about some videos proposed by the American blog Just Security that would demonstrate the strong man's responsibility to Tobruk in different executions, after the conviction of the International Court of Justice of the commander to Werfalli. Do you think there will be a sequel to Haftar?
"Aresult there will definitely be because there is an ongoing investigation. The charges are very serious and in-depth, and then will evidently explored in their full extent. Who will be involved I do not know to say it to him because I can not prejudge the results of an investigation, but it is certainly very serious investigation that the International Criminal Court - of which Italy is a founding member - before it with the utmost professionalism."
-Of recently, it has been confirmed by our government's full support to the initiative of the United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). There will be a mission with Italian military in the South?
"No,what is provided is a support activity across the board, even for the south of the country, in the belief that illegal immigration can not be contained if action is not taken for the security of the southern borders. The aim of our strategy is just that, namely to strengthen Libyan capacities in control of the southern borders of the country. In this sense, we are working with the system of border guards and all Libyans relevant departments so that there is this qualitative leap in the southern border control capacity, but this does not provide an Italian military presence in Libya, but also to a support Libyan forces and agencies that deal with the control of territory and boundaries."
- The Special Representative UNSMIL, Ghassan Salame, opened the political process at all, only excluding the extremists by their own choice. It considers a possible return of Gaddafi family? In particular, Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi's favorite son, as to circumvent the condemnation of the International Court of Justice?
"Ghassan Salame has adopted the right approach, namely to promote an inclusive process in which all those who want to participate in a sincere and available in comparison with others, are welcomed. Why Libya now needs all, he needs to recover this fragmentation and internal division. As for individuals, not it to him say. As for Mr. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is on him an international arrest warrant. I saw that Ghassan Salame has made the press an opening speech to all Libyans, including against the former regime followers, but there are international legal procedures that will surely take their course."
- Referring to this "open to all", believes that the party "Justice and Construction", which represents the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya, led by Mohamed Sowan, will run for the elections?
"This should ask Mohamed Sowan, but I imagine that an inclusive approach means that all those wishing to participate peacefully and constructively in the political process, the opportunity to do so. Those who are excluded are those who resort to the use of weapons and intend to change the Libyan political scene through the use of violence, or who plan to pursue political goals through military confrontation."
- There is a strong figure for her now able to gather popular support and that of the social authority of the tribes?
"Ispersonalizzerei the Libyan policy, which at this time especially needs to find understanding, reconciliation and the ability to confront each other. Even the strongest personalities, who have a large following, arouse the strong resistance in other parts of the country. So, rather than customize, or try to find a solution to the Libyan problem with the task to a single person, we must ensure that the solution emerges from a genuine willingness to compromise and reconciliation between the Libyans, so that that the rules to be defined, they will then be respected byall."
- There is or there is an ongoing debate within the Interior Ministry, if re-open our skies to Libya? Or rather, he believes that will be restored air links with Tripoli in the short term?
"I definitely hope so. This is a priority that is felt at the highest level both from the Italian Government, both the Libyan government and has been clarified several times in the recent Italian-Libyan leaders, and it is an issue that requires technical answers, so that we can arrive at a recovery the direct flights, starting with Italy, because the Libyans have this strong expectation for us. It would be an event of high flow symbolic because it would mark, in some ways, the end of isolation to which the Libyan people, for too long, has been confined. "
-The please give us one final question. Any news about the interests claimed by the Italian entrepreneurs in Libya?
"Italy is the only country that has explicitly said, through his Foreign Minister, that we do not expect to eternal harmony conditions, or lasting stability, to continue our economic relations with Libya. We intend to do already from the start, of course, in a gradual manner, respecting the safety conditions on the ground. Indeed we are already doing. Italy is the country that more than any other is committed to the resumption of economic cooperation with Libya in the knowledge that economic growth is one of the ingredients of the most decisive factors for the stabilization of the country. Of course we are also aware of past problems, that several Italian entrepreneurs have suffered in Libya, which is why we are also trying with the authorities in the country an overall solution, which can then allow the general economic and commercial ties between our two countries in a manner fully unfold their potential."
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