Rome: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi
called for caution regarding the crisis in Libya and Moammar
Gaddafi's possible exile, saying the situation was "confused"
and constantly changing.
"We must wait and see. It's best not to enter into
specifics just yet," Berlusconi said in an interview with Il
Messaggero daily.
The premier, who has been in touch with US President
Barack Obama, the head of the European Council Herman Van
Rompuy and UN head Ban Ki-Moon, said Italy would "follow the
line taken by the international community."
"We have many interests in the area as well as being
geographically very close to Libya," Berlusconi said, adding
that he didn't believe relations between the two countries
would degenerate should Gaddafi fall from power.
"We are friends of the Libyan people. Whatever
government the Libyans choose I believe it will uphold the
close ties with Italy, its people and its businesses."
Ties between Italy and Libya were strengthened in 2008
after a friendship agreement that eased tensions between the
Mediterranean country and its former colony. Since then, Italy
has become Libya's biggest trade partner.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, March 01, 2011, 20:16