Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim El Keib and visiting Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti signed a wide-ranging pact on Saturday (January 21st) to redefine their ties in the post-Kadhafi era, AFP reported. It remained unclear whether the new "Tripoli Declaration" replaces the 2008 Libya-Italy Friendship Treaty, which was suspended at the start of the Libyan revolution.
The declaration said it aims to "open new horizons for mutual co-operation for the benefit of the two friendly peoples and to realise the new vision of Libya in response to the glorious 17 February revolution". The accord will also allow Italy to offer ICT assistance in "civilian and defence sectors", a member of the Italian delegation said.
In related news at the week-end, Central Bank of Libya (CBL) Governor al-Seddiq Omar al-Kabir said that the Libyan government had no plans to inject fresh funds into its foreign investments, including Italy's UniCredit Bank. Libyan investment projects will instead be home orientated, the bank director said. The lifting of UN sanctions released 95% of CBL assets, which will be routed toward reconstruction activities, al-Kabir said.
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