Italy unlikely to deploy ground troops in Libya, says defence minister

Italy’s defence minister denied claims on Thursday that her country is sending ground troops to Libya. “A large-scale deployment of Western troops in Libya is unthinkable and absurd,” insisted Roberta Pinotti.

“Can you imagine… what it means to intervene with a military occupation?” she asked viewers on Canale 5 TV. “It is unthinkable, it is absurd; no one has ever considered it.”

The minister explained that her country has been working on the formation of local security forces, as recommended by the UN, to stabilise Libya, stressing that it can only settle down with the help of local forces. “As soon as the Libyan government is installed and begins to stabilise the country, it will need security back-up such as trainers and protection forces, something Italy is willing to do,” she added.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said last month that his country, “Was ready to fight the Islamic State in Libya, if necessary.”