“In agreement with President (Donald) Trump, I’m going to organize a conference on Libya,” Conte told reporters at the White House after meeting with the U.S. president. Conte expects to surf on the US endorsement to position Italy as the major interlocutor for Libya’s warring factions. An Italian towboat recently rescued more than 100 migrants but had to return them to Libya. Under international law, migrants rescued in international waters cannot be returned to a place where their lives are put in danger. Both the United Nations and the European Union have acknowledged that Libya is not safe.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 31, 2018 18:00 UTC