MILAN: Italy’s prime minister has said any foreign military intervention in would not resolve the latest conflict in its former colony, warning that it might trigger a refugee exodus across the Mediterranean.
Eastern-based Libyan forces led by are advancing in a push to seize the capital, , but troops loyal to Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj’s internationally recognised government have so far kept them at bay.
“A military option cannot be a solution,” Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told daily newspaper in an interview published on Saturday.
He said talks involving all sides should be held in a bid to halt the fighting, which has driven at least 4,500 Tripoli residents from their homes.
Italy, which is a big player in the oil sector in the troubled North African country, has supported al-Serraj’s government.
Conte said any potential military intervention could push many Libyans to flee across the Mediterranean towards southern Europe. At the moment, Libya is mainly used a transit spot for migrants from Sub-Saharan countries.
“There is a serious risk that a humanitarian crisis mounts,” he said.
The current Italian government has repeatedly criticised the 2011 Nato intervention that ousted former Libyan strongman , saying it created insecurity and chaos in the country and did nothing to bring peace.