The new appointed Italian ambassador Giuseppe Grimaldi expressed his joy to return to Libya as the head of his country’s diplomatic mission to Tripoli.
In a tweet posted on February 1, Grimaldi said that “it is wonderful to return to this land once again”, affirming his confidence that Libya will return gradually to peace, justice and prosperity again.
Last December Grimaldi was announced as the new Italian ambassador replacing Giuseppe Perrone, who will head Rome’s diplomatic mission in Iran, according to Italian media outlets.
Buccino, 57, entered the diplomatic career in 1988, holding positions, among others, in Beirut , Brussels, and Doha. He was Italy’s Ambassador in Libya between September 2011 and February 2015.
The replacement of Perrone was necessary after his statements about the “right time for elections in Libya” outraged the government and public opinion that accused him of interfering in the country’s internal affairs. He was sent back to Italy on 10 August and since then he has not returned to Libya.
Earlier, the Italian Senate urged the country’s Foreign Minister, Enzo Moavero Milanesi, to return Perrone to his position or find a replacement urgently. Milanesi said then the issue will “be resolved in the shortest time.”
Libya is a high priority for Italy in terms of border security and economic relations. The two Mediterranean countries have historic strong ties in different fields.
Last month, Palermo hosted an international conference to discuss security and stability in Libya, inviting the key political sides in the North African state. Rome tries to play mediator among Libyan rival groups aiming to find a solution to the conflict and division plagued the country since 2011 following the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
