"This wasn`t a popular uprising," like in other north African countries "where the wind of freedom begins to blow," he told young supporters of his People of Freedom party gathered in Rome.
"Powerful men decided to give life to a new era by putting out Kadhafi," he said.
"This wasn`t a popular uprising because Kadhafi was loved by his people, as I was able to see when I went to Libya."
Italy is Libya`s former colonial ruler and enjoyed close economic and diplomatic ties with the Kadhafi regime prior to the conflict before joining international efforts against the leader.
He told party supporters that strengthening the country`s position in Libya was "important for oil and gas supplies."
Eni, in which the Italian state holds a third share, was previously the main foreign hydrocarbon producer operating in Libya.
In order to maintain that situation Rome recently signed a deal with the new Libyan authorities.
(U.B002)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
