Libya a global concern, Italy says

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PARIS, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Success in Libya depends on continued support from international community, Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said Tuesday.

Representatives from several countries met in Paris to discuss national security and the rule of law in Libya. Attending the meeting, Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said his government was helping Tripoli with border security but stressed assistance was a global matter.

"We are profoundly convinced that the progress and success of the stabilization of Libya, and the establishment of a solid democracy, depend to a large extent on the level of international support," Terzi said in a statement.

The dictatorship of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi ended with his death during civil war in October 2011. National security and internal divisions have complicated Libya's post-war political progress, however.

Hanan Salah, a Libyan analyst for Human Rights Watch, said it's a "grave mistake" to state that security in the country will come without corresponding judicial reforms.

The Libyan government last week said it recognized there were shortfalls in its reform efforts but stated progress was possible.

"The situation on the ground is still considerably worrisome on the level of security but we and the other countries present at today's meeting are confident that it can be remedied in the coming months," Terzi said.