Italian primier to visit Libya in December

Italian Prime Minster Massimo D'Alema will visit Libya in December, part of Italian efforts to boost European, Arab and African relations, the Italian government said Saturday.

The two-day visit, comes in response to an invitation by the Libyan Government to hold direct talks between the two counties, the statement added.

"Great developments between the two countries came after several years of tension," the statement went on.

D'Alema is scheduled to discuss with Libyan officials means of boosting bilateral relations and cooperation in the Mediterranean.

D'Alama's visit to Libya is the first of its kind since international sanctions were imposed on Libya in 1992.