Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that a memorandum of understanding had been signed between his country's government and Libya's interim government of national unity to deliver five patrol boats funded by the European Union.

Tayani added in a tweet on Saturday: “We are strengthening cooperation with Libya, and we are seeking to confront irregular migration flows.”

The signing took place in Tripoli during a visit by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Tripoli.

Meloni stressed the importance of working to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking, saying: “Despite Libyan efforts, the numbers of legal entry into Italy from Libya are still high, and they have increased by 50%. We are committed to supporting Libya in managing these flows.”