Opening the Italy-Libya Economic Forum in Rome last week, Italy’s Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said:
"Security, physical and judicial, is essential ... safeguarding investments is as important as profitability. Many enterprises are ready to strengthen their presence in Libya, but they are waiting for an improvement of the general conditions of security."
Little could he have known that just days later his Consul-General in Benghazi, Guido De Sanctis, would come under fire in his car as he pulled out of the consulate buildings. The Consul was unhurt.
By Sunday, Libya's Interior Ministry had announced that it is creating a special security force to protect embassies and consulates; the new force will be made up of former rebels who have been integrated into the nation's police force.
Events sometimes move fast in the new, rebranded Libya, and the government is often in the unenviable position of having to respond to dramatic events rather than following its own plan. It can be a thankless job.
And on that subject, the new ministerial salaries have just been announced; as readers of Libya Business News, do you think these salaries are appropriate, or too high or low? Please let us know in the comments section below.
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