Italy’s Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi held a second round of talks with Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi in Tripoli Monday on a mission to strengthen existing strong relations between the two countries.
The leaders reviewed implementation of a 1998 joint declaration and Italian participation in infrastructure projects, a Libyan official said.
"The implementation of this declaration should help the Libyan people overcome the difficulties of the colonialist period, especially the damage caused by the many minefields across the country," he said, cited by AFP.
Berlusconi arrived early Monday and was received by President Kadhafi for talks. The Italian Premier’s mission to Libya, a former Italian colony, raised reservations within the Rome government when the Prime Minister announced his plan to visit on October 18, according to Italian newspapers. However, he insisted that the visit would further develop ties.
Meanwhile, Berlusconi's visit also coincides with the announcement in Italy by top football club Juventus that Saadi Kadhafi, son of the Libyan ruler, has joined the board.
He takes his place on the board as representative for the Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company, which holds 7.3 percent of the share capital in the Turin club. (Albawaba.com)
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