Italy works to keep Libya options open
In the century since Italy invaded Libya and decimated its population under a brutal military occupation, Rome has seen its fortunes rise and fall repeatedly in its one-time colony. Read more…
Italy’s Eni says no to sanctions against Libya
Eni, Italy’s state-controlled energy company, has urged Europe not to extend sanctions against Libya to include its oil and gas assets, warning that such steps would be “shooting ourselves in the foot”. Read more…
Italy blocks ship of migrants fleeing Libya
By Guy Dinmore and Eleonora de Sabata in Rome, Published: March 15 2011
A Moroccan ferry carrying 1,800 people fleeing Libya was reported to be standing off Sicily on Tuesday after the Italian authorities denied it permission to enter port for refuelling. Read more…
Italy puts Libya bank under special administration
By Guy Dinmore in Rome, Published: March 14 2011
Italy has imposed controls on Libya’s Banca UBAE, but the Rome-based bank – which handles payments for Libya’s oil and gas exports – was told it would be allowed to continue “normal” operations. Read more…
Berlusconi launches reforms of judiciary
by Guy Dinmore and Giulia Segreti in Rome, Published: March 10 2011
Silvio Berlusconi, currently facing four trials on corruption and sex-related charges, has proposed sweeping reform of the judiciary to curb what he calls hostile political interference by leftist magistrates. Read more…
Eni CEO defends decision to stay in Libya
The lights are still on in Libya thanks to continued gas production there by Eni, Italy’s state-controlled energy company, according to its chief executive.
In spite of the turmoil in Libya and the evacuation of many of Eni’s expatriate workers, Eni – led by Paolo Scaroni – has continued to work with the National Oil Company to produce oil and gas, although at considerably reduced levels.
Shares leap in Italian telecoms firm with Libyan holding
By Giulia Segreti and Guy Dinmore in Rome, Published: March 7 2011
Retelit, a small Italian telecommunications company, jumped on the Milan stock exchange on Monday amid reports that the Italian government would freeze a 14.8 per cent shareholding controlled by one of Muammer Gaddafi’s sons. Read more…
Rome sits at hub of former colony’s web
Italian finance ministry officials just have to lift their gaze from their computers to be reminded of the complex web they face as they try to unravel Libya’s assets in Europe as a first step towards imposing possible sanctions. Read more…
Italy poised to freeze Libyan shareholdings
By Guy Dinmore and Giulia Segreti in Rome and Joshua Chaffin in Brussels, published: March 1 2011
Libyan shareholdings in Italian companies worth billions of euros could be frozen by Rome as Silvio Berlusconi makes what diplomats describe as a tardy break with Muammer Gaddafi’s regime. Read more…
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