ROME: Libya鈥檚 new Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has expressed his wish to develop ties with Italy, including increasing cooperation in managing migration in the Mediterranean.

鈥淲e intend to develop our privileged relationship with neighboring Italy, as we share many common challenges, including the management of migration,鈥� tweeted Dbeibah, who congratulated  Italy鈥檚 new Prime Minister Mario Draghi for his new government.

鈥淲ith Italy we have many opportunities for economic integration. We congratulate Draghi for having taken the post of head of government. We wish him success in his mission.鈥�

Dbeibah鈥檚 comments came after the head of the new Presidential Council of Libya, Mohammad Younes Menfi, met with Italy鈥檚 ambassador to his country, Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi, in Tripoli.

According to Italian Embassy sources in Tripoli, Menfi expressed to Grimaldi 鈥渉is appreciation to Italy for keeping operational the embassy during the war.鈥�

Menfi also expressed his hopes 鈥渇or even stronger cooperation between Italy and Libya as part of the special relationship between the peoples鈥� of the two countries. He said he intends to visit Rome as soon as possible.