Tripoli: Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Department of Antiquities, Mohammed Al-Shakshuki, discussed with the Italian Ambassador to Libya, Gian Luca Alberini, the Italian initiative aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of cultural heritage. The meeting was attended by a number of specialists from both Libyan and Italian sides. According to Libyan News Agency, the meeting, held on Wednesday at the Department of Antiquities in Tripoli, emphasized the strategic importance of the items contained in the concept paper of the Italian initiative, which will strengthen the partnership between the two countries in the field of tangible cultural heritage. Current projects in the field of capacity building and training were also reviewed, focusing on the importance of "localizing training" through the project of a specialized training and development center in archaeological specialties. The Libyan side presented a visual presentation reviewing several ongoing projects being implemented b y the Department of Antiquities in cooperation with Italian teams working in Libya. Notable projects include the rehabilitation work of the Sousse Museum building, ongoing work in the area of the Temple of Demetra, and the projects of the Qasr Al-Akhyar Museum and the Janzur Museum. It was agreed to assign the International Cooperation Office of the Authority to follow up on the Italian initiative to promote economic activities in the service of cultural heritage, in cooperation with a representative of the Italian Development Agency. Additionally, it was agreed to follow up on the restoration center in Leptis Magna and all related activities and projects through the Authority's Training and Development Office. Furthermore, the Projects Department of the Antiquities Authority was tasked with completing the rehabilitation study of the Janzur archaeological site, aiming to develop the existing museum, the cemetery area, the entrance, and the administrative annexes. The meeting was attended from the Libyan si de by the directors of the International Cooperation, Central Archives, and Projects Departments of the Antiquities Authority, and the official in charge of the European Cooperation file at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. From the Italian side, the First Counselor at the Italian Embassy, a representative of the Italian Development Agency, and the head of the archaeological mission from the University of Rome III were present.