The Arab Spring: two years later. Update on Libya

On 14th October 2013, the NDC Middle East Faculty was honoured to receive the visit of Brig Gen Luigi Scollo (ITA A).

The main purpose of the visit was to brief the tenth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 10) on current challenges in Libya’s security situation. Col Giuseppe Morabito (ITA A), Director of the NDC Middle East Faculty, opened the proceedings by introducing the speaker.

Brig Gen Scollo gave a comprehensive and well documented presentation on the complex situation affecting Libya today and provided details about the national security coordination and architecture, the Libyan armed forces, and the Libyan defence forces, before and after the crisis that occurred in 2011. He also underlined the key role played by the International Community and current efforts underway in nation-building. In this context, he discussed the possibility of a new NATO initiative in Libya and the likely challenges and difficulties. Brig Gen Scollo concluded his presentation by indicating that, although some improvements have been achieved in the security and political sectors, the situation in the country remains generally insecure.

This interesting presentation was followed by a Q&A period, where issues such as border management, terrorism, potential NATO intervention, and hypotheses on future developments were actively discussed.

Brigadier General Luigi Scollo is a native of Como. He was commissioned into the Bersaglieri from the Military Academy and received his BSc in Strategic Studies from the University of Turin and a Master’s in Strategic studies from the same university in 2004. He also holds a BSc in International Affairs from Trieste University. He is currently serving as DCOS CSS in the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps HQ in Milan.
Brig Gen Scollo’s past command assignments include: Commanding General, Garibaldi Bersaglieri Brigade; Commanding Officer, 11th Bersaglieri Regiment, deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Antica Babilonia; Chief of Staff, Command for Combat Service Support of the Operational Land Forces Command; 67th Bersaglieri Battalion Commander, deploying to Albania in support of Operation Alba; Company and Platoon Commander, 3rd Bersaglieri Battalion, deploying to Lebanon in support of Operation Libano 2.
BG Scollo’s past staff assignments include: Defence Expert EU Delegation, Tripoli, Libya 2012-2013; DCOS OPS ITA Army LAND FORCES HQ, Verona 2011-2012, Chief CJ3 ISAF Joint Command in Afghanistan, 2009-2011; DCOS Training and Doctrine; NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy; Chief CJ5 ISAF HQ, Afghanistan 2005-2006; ACOS G5 NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy; Assistant Military Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Cairo 2000-2003; Operation Staff Officer, Combat Support Command of the Operational Land Forces Command; Operation Staff Officer; Italian Army General Staff. He is also the author of a number of articles on historical and military subjects, published in the Italian Army Military review. In 2007 he published a book entitled “I Bersaglieri 1836-2007”.

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Giulia Amparo Bruni Roccia, ITA C)