- Title: ITALY: Hopes for peace, as Libyan rebels claim Tripoli
- Date: 23rd August 2011
- Summary: VARIOUS NEWSPAPER HEADLINES HEADLINE READING: "NAPOLITANO - THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRISIS HAS BEEN HIDDEN." HEADLINE READING: "REBELS IN TRIPOLI, REGIME COLLAPSES." HEADLINE READING: "NAPOLITANO - AN INPUT TO GROW." HEADLINE READING: "TRIPOLI, THE LAST HOURS OF GADDAFI."
- Embargoed: 7th September 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: War / Fighting
- Reuters ID: LVAB23BBLT2VRH8ZH72NPWJN5XTE
- Story Text: Italians looked with great interest towards the situation in Libya on Monday (August 22) in the hope that peace in that country could help stimulate the crisis-hit Italian economy.
On Sunday (August 21) night, rebel fighters swept into the heart of Tripoli and crowds took to the streets to celebrate what they saw as the end of Muammar Gaddafi's four decades of power.
Libya, as a former Italian colony, has traditionally had close trading links with Italy and close proximity in geographical terms has also led to Italy bearing the brunt of illegal immigrants leaving by boat from Libya and arriving on the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.
Many Italians hope a stable government in Libya will put an end to illegal immigration and the costs that entails for Italy but also provide the country with a stable trading partner.
"The problem in Libya really interests us, because it is so close," said Rome resident Sabrina Generali.
"An agreement with Libya is really important, if there is a stable government; clearly Gaddafi has lost, but afterwards there needs to be a stable government in Libya because it is so closely connected to Italy," she added.
Italy is struggling with serious economic difficulties and will discuss this week an austerity package of 45.5 billion-euro the government says is vital to thwart a full-blown debt crisis. Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has recently said that many of the country's financial problems have been hidden in order to stem market panic.
"Napolitano - the seriousness of the crisis has been hidden," ran one newspaper headline. But front pages were also taken up by the situation in Libya, as rebels looked as if they would take full control of the capital, Tripoli.
"Rebels in Tripoli, regime collapses," ran another headline.
Gaddafi's former right-hand man, Abdel Salam Jalloud, who has defected to the Libyan rebels' side, was announced by the Italian Defence Ministry as has having taken up residency in Italy over the weekend.
Many Italians see this as a clear initiative by their government to improve their relationship with any post-Gaddafi regime that takes shape.
"Italy has had a significant role in the Libyan situation and now we have the number two in Italy and it seems the Defence Minister seems to think he will stay here," said resident Silvio Testa.
"In the short term I don't know if this will influence our relationship, but when you look at the fact that Libyan oil makes up 20 percent of the global oil market, surely Italy would hope this to be a step in the right direction in this relationship with Libya -- this must be the motivation for why he is in Italy," he said.
Certainly, most Italians will be looking to see who comes to power next in Libya.
"I am worried about who will come next, not who they have removed, but who will be the next ruler, because I believe there are always powers in that country that in some way will be in control of their economic resources," said resident Carlo Zarli.
On Monday, Libyan government tanks shelled parts of central Tripoli, emerging from Gaddafi's stronghold in the centre of the capital, as world leaders tried to assess how long his forces might hold on for. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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