Italy considering possible military intervention in Libya
Italy says it may ponder military action in Libya after the release of a recent video of mass beheading by ISIL Takfiris in the North African country showed that militants are closer than ever to the Italian shores.
The President of Italian Senate Defense Commission Nicola Latorre said Monday that if the current diplomatic efforts at the international level fail to establish security in Libya, Italy’s military may ponder "measures of containment."
However, the Italian lawmaker, who was speaking to the Associated Press, ruled out the possibility that Italy may become involved in a "war" on ISIL in the North African country.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also said Monday that his country will never engage in an operation without endorsement and cover by the United Nations.
“The proposal is to wait, so the UN Security Council can work with a bit more conviction on Libya,” Renzi told a private Italian TV.
Some 5,000 troops ready for deployment
Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti recently said his country is ready to contribute up to 5,000 troops to a potential military operation in Libya.
ISIL’s advance in Libya has caused huge concern in Italy as the country is the most exposed to the increasing threat of militants infiltrating it in the form of illegal migrants.
Renzi (pictured above) has already expressed his deep concern about the threat of militants reaching the Italian shores. In an interview with Italian state TV on Saturday, Renzi slammed Europe’s inaction on the issue.
“We’ve already said to the EU and to the international community that it is time to stop sleeping, that something very serious is happening in Libya…,” Renzi said, adding that Rome is ready to play its part in “defending freedom and human rights”.
The developments came against the backdrop of a video released by ISIL late Sunday which showed members of the terrorist group beheading 21 Egyptian Christians on the Libyan coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. The location where the film was apparently recorded confirmed previous claims that ISIL had made significant advances into the Libyan soil and is now very close to Italy.
In the movie, a masked ISIL member issued a chilling threat to the Italians, saying, “You have seen us in Syria, now we’re right here, just south of Rome...”
MS/HMV/SS
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