Italy denies sending Special Forces to Libya

Italy’s foreign minister has denied sending Special Forces to Libya to assist in the fight against the militant group Daesh in the country. “We do not have a military mission in Libya,” Paolo Gentiloni insisted in an interview with Corriere della Sera. “If we did, parliament would have been informed.”

The minister said that, in any case, he hopes that the Italian Embassy will reopen in Tripoli as soon as the security situation “stabilises” there.

Gentiloni added that his country contributes at different levels, especially by providing logistical support for operations to combat terrorism. “Italy is willing to assess requests to provide more training for the presidential guards and support the Coast Guard’s activities in Libya,” he added.