Libya’s elected government has accused the Italian navy of violating the country’s territorial waters after Libyan authorities said they spotted three Italian warships off the eastern coast of the north African country, but Italy’s government yesterday dismissed the claim.
Libya is caught in a conflict between its recognised government in the east and a self-proclaimed government controlling Tripoli, a rivalry western powers worry has allowed Islamist militants and people smugglers to grow in strength.
In a statement released late on Saturday, Libya’s recognised government said its naval forces had spotted three Italian warships close to the east coast of the North African country.
“The warships kept on until they approached the shores of Deryana town in east of Benghazi,” it said.
“The government strongly condemns this violation.”
All of Italy’s military ships respect the limits established by treaty
Italy’s defence ministry denied any of its ships had violated Libyan waters. “All of Italy’s military ships present in the Mediterranean operate in international waters and respect the limits established by treaty,” it said.
The EU has already deployed a naval mission in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea in an effort to stop migrant smugglers who have taken advantage of Libya’s chaos to send thousands of people across to Europe.
The UN is attempting to broker a peace agreement and unity government between Libya’s factions, which would open the door to more European and international cooperation and aid. One option maybe expanding the EU mission into Libyan waters.
Meanwhile, the son of deposed Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi appeared in a Tripoli court yesterday to face charges of murdering a football player and other crimes before the 2011 revolution that ended his father’s rule.
The judge adjoined proceedings against Saadi Gaddafi, who was extradited from Niger last year, until December 6 after his attorney asked for more time to examine the case against him and to have access to military prosecutor documents.
In July a Tripoli court sentenced another of Gaddafi’s sons Saif al-Islam and eight other former officials to death for crimes committed during the 2011 uprising against his father, who was later killed by rebels
The sentences have not been carried out although the men, including Gaddafi’s ex-spy chief, are in jail.