ROME -- Italy has declared itself "ready" for military intervention in Libya, following the formation of a new government of national unity in the country on Tuesday. Italy is expected to lead an international mission, backed by Germany, diplomatic sources say.

 Paolo Gentiloni, Italian minister of foreign affairs, called the advancement "a crucial step forwards in a still fragile situation," declaring that there is now "a real opportunity for stability in the country, which must be seized by all" and that "Italy is ready to play its part."

 However, he made clear that intervention would only take place if there were a request for it from the new Libyan government, and if approved by the UN.

 The ambassador of Libya to Italy, Ahmed Safar, has said that the west must help the country to rebuild civil society, but that "regarding a foreign military intervention there are still sensitive issues that could risk leading to undesirable consequences."

 According to leaks reported by Il Sole 24, an Italian military operation would not exceed 1000 men, to include land, sea and air forces. It would put in place patrol planes, with and without pilots, military training for local security forces and patrols in target areas and reinforced anti-smuggling control at points along the coast.

 The UN special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, has also called for the opening up of humanitarian channels in the country.

 The new Libyan national unity government was announced on Tuesday after the appointment of 32 ministers to the Presidential Council. It must be approved by the universally recognised Tobruk parliament within ten days in order to be legitimised.

 Guaranteeing security, curbing the advance of IS and the country's oil and central bank will be the principle issues facing the new government.

 Following a conference in Libya to discuss the future of the country, the head of the Presidential Council Fayez al-Serrai reaffirmed the responsibility of Italy as coordinator of the military and security sectors. ft