Tripoli, 12 February 2014:
At a preparatory meeting in Rome today for the International Ministerial Conference on support for Libya, . . .[restrict]to be held in the Italian capital on 6 March, senior official from 25 countries and five international organisations said that the international community needed to pay very firm attention to the country at present.
Specifically the host, Italy, confirmed its own “strong commitment” to continue working with the Libyan authorities and the international community to support Libya’s stabilization and democratic transition.
The meeting, chaired on the Italian side by the Director for Political Affairs of the Italian Foreign Ministry Ambassador Sandro De Bernardin and on the Libyan side by Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Mrs. Wafaa Boughaghis, likewise confirmed its commitment to support Libya’s transition to democracy.
The Libyan team, however, noted that to make the transition work, constructive dialogue between all components of society and all the national institutions was a prerequisite. It also said that it was of the outmost importance that the Rome Conference take place on schedule.
There had been some suggestions that it might have to be delayed if the Libyan government were to change in the next two weeks.
The conference will specifically be looking at practical support that can be provided for security, justice and rule of law in Libya. [/restrict]
