Summary:

On 4 September 2025, Libya’s interim Government of National Unity (GNU) and Italy convened a high-level meeting in Rome to discuss military cooperation.  

Deputy Defense Minister Abdel Salam Zoubi met with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and the head of Italian intelligence to discuss strengthening bilateral defense ties, joint training programs, and operational coordination.  

The discussions also addressed regional stability, Mediterranean security, and capacity-building for Libyan forces, reflecting the GNU’s efforts to professionalize its military amid ongoing security challenges in Tripoli. 

Concurrently, the graduation of the 3rd Infantry Battalion of the 62nd Brigade highlighted progress in domestic troop readiness, supported by foreign advisors, as both governments emphasized the importance of sustained consultation and strategic partnership. 

Outlook: 

The GNU’s enhanced military cooperation with Italy signals a push toward professionalizing Libya’s armed forces and consolidating control over the fragmented militias which continue to vie for control over Tripoli and the surrounding regions.  

By focusing on training, capacity-building, and strategic coordination, the GNU aims to structure formal brigades aligned with its command, gradually reducing the influence of independent armed groups while communicating to international partners that the GNU is a reliable governing entity.  

This approach could improve operational readiness in Tripoli and other regions while strengthening Libya’s capacity to engage in coordinated regional security efforts alongside international partners. 

However, Italy’s parallel push for defense cooperation and development initiatives in Libya underscores Rome’s desire to maintain influence over the shaping of Libya’s future, with both irregular migration and future oil supplies as key drivers of this effort. 

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