Business and a flight to Benghazi. Benghazi is hosting the most significant Italy-Libya economic forum in recent years, a three-day event organised by the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce and the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, with the collaboration of Unioncamere and Confindustria Assafrica.
- It’s a B2B initiative involving over 100 Italian companies — agritech, construction, transport vehicle manufacturing, machinery, engineering, and renewable energy — coinciding with the first direct Rome-Benghazi flight.
- Operated by Italy’s flag carrier Ita Airways, flight AZ 8035 serves as a symbol of renewed Italo-Libyan connectivity.
Decoding the news. The forum deepens Italy’s Libya strategy.-
- Economic integration in Cyrenaica—currently the country’s most dynamic region—also prevents its definitive drift into Russian and Chinese spheres of influence.
The context. Cyrenaica, in eastern Libya, is the country’s most stable region, but it is controlled by militias linked to the Haftar family, which is closely aligned with Moscow.
- The area is undergoing intense reconstruction, driven by local capital and a high demand for foreign expertise.
- The forum’s main Libyan counterpart is the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, led by Belgassem Haftar, the son of Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar—Moscow’s key contact.
- It recently requested a special three-year allocation worth over € 11 billion.
- Italy is investing in a long-term presence, including the launch of a permanent business hub in Benghazi.
The risk. Cyrenaica outside Western cooperation frameworks could result in entrenched Russian control.
- This would likely cement Libya’s division and undermine prospects for a unified political stabilisation process.
The political message. Italy, joined by France, Greece, and Malta, has formally requested that the EU prioritise Libya as a strategic dossier.
- The issue was raised at the June 23 Foreign Affairs Council and, earlier, at the June 12 Internal Affairs Council — with a focus on terrorism and migration.
- “Italy is seriously alarmed about Libya’s internal conflict, especially in Tripolitania. This is already increasing irregular flows across the central Mediterranean route and could affect Europe’s internal security,” said Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.
Italy’s Libyan goals in Europe. Speaking before parliament, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the EU to uphold a ceasefire among Libyan militias to build stability.
- “Eastern and southern Libya are already Russia’s main footholds in Africa,” said Meloni on Monday, warning that Moscow could use Libya to consolidate its position in the Mediterranean.
- Italy wants the EU to treat Libya as a strategic emergency.
What we’re watching. Stabilising Libya also means engaging with Benghazi.
- The Cyrenaica forum is a practical tool that blends economic diplomacy, geopolitical prevention, and strategic containment.
- For Italy, strengthening the UN process and enforcing the ceasefire is key.
- If the EU fails to project influence, rival actors will step in.
