TRIPOLI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeg on Sunday demanded Spain hand over smuggled Libyan antiquities recently seized by Madrid.
Maiteeg made his remarks during a meeting with Spanish Ambassador to Libya Francisco de Miguel in the capital Tripoli, according to a statement by the prime minister's media and communication department.
The Spanish ambassador expressed his country's readiness to cooperate with Libya on the return of the smuggled items.
Meanwhile, Maiteeg confirmed that the Libyan embassy in Madrid has presented a Memorandum of Understanding regarding judicial cooperation and protection of Libyan cultural heritage.
He also expressed hope for the return of Spanish companies to Libya, especially in the field of water desalination.
The Libyan Archaeological Authority said in March that smuggled Libyan antiquities of the Greek era would soon be restored after the negotiation with the Spanish authorities.
According to the authority chief Mohamed Faraj, there are nearly 25 smuggled pieces held in Spain.
In 2017, the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed it was following up 11 antiquities smuggled to Spain, the sale of which was stopped by the Spanish authorities.
