Libya PM welcomes Italy, Greece counterparts

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah hosted the leaders of Italy and Greece for talks in Tripoli on Tuesday.

Libya's interim government, which took power last month, is meant to bring together a country that has been torn apart by civil war for nearly a decade.

It is also meant to shepherd the country through general elections on December 24.

Speaking at a press conference on his first international trip as leader, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said the Libyan ceasefire must be upheld and "closely observed".

He said Italy was satisfied with Libya's efforts on migrant rescues, and said the European Union was invested in the issue.

The meeting of the two leaders underscores the interest Italy has maintained in Libya in recent years, especially when it comes to migration.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reaffirmed a point made by President of the European Council, Charles Michel in Tripoli on Sunday, by calling for the "complete departure of foreign mercenaries as requested by all European countries".

Meanwhile Dbeibah said his interim government would evaluate and proceed with international agreements in "the interests of Libya".

"Just as other countries are looking for their interests, we are studying all agreements, especially the Turkish ones and the Libyan ones, the interests of our state and our people first, then our neighbours in the region and in the area," Dbeibah said.

Dbeibah was referring to a 2019 Turkish-Libya agreement on military cooperation and maritime jurisdiction, signed off by the Libyan Government of National Accord.

Libya was plunged into chaos when a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed.

The country was in recent years split between rival east- and west-based administrations, each backed by different armed groups and foreign governments.