12 December – 18 December: Italy appoints new Ambassador to Libya

Dec 18, 2018 | International actors

On 14 December, Italian diplomat Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi was appointed as Italy’s new ambassador to Libya, replacing Giuseppe Perrone. In a statement to Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Italy’s Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi stated Perrone’s recall was “urgent” without providing a reason why.

On 14 December, Commander of US Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response Africa Colonel Adam Chalkley said conditions in Libya were improving for the return of a US diplomatic mission to Libya.

On 18 December, the European Union expanded its border management assistance mission (EUBAM) to actively support Libyan authorities in capability building to combat criminal networks undertaking migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorism. The mission will run until 30 June 2020 with a budget of 61.6 million Euros.