The Italian Embassy in Tripoli announced on Monday that the arrival of the consul general in Benghazi, Carlo Batori, has been postponed for days after he tested positive for Covid-19, but confirming that the work to reactivate the consulate is nearing completion.

"The embassy of Italy in Tripoli reports that the work to reactivate the Italian Consulate General in Benghazi is nearing completion," the Italian embassy said via its Twitter account.

"Given the positive outcome of his Covid-19 pre-travel swab, the arrival of Consul General Carlo Batori in Benghazi, which was initially expected on May 26, will be postponed for a few days," the embassy added.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced on April 28 the reopening of the Italian consulate in Benghazi and the appointment of Consul General Carl Batori as its head.