Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi met on Wednesday with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over bilateral ties in the Libyan seaside city of Sirte, Egypt'sofficial MENA news agency reported.

The two leaders discussed Iraq, the flow of illegal immigration to Italy and other issues of mutual concern.

They also probed means to implement the Italian-Libyan Declaration signed in 1998 which includes Italy's apology for occupying Libya as well as pledging compensations for its colonial rule.

Thousands of illegal immigrants cross the Mediterranean Sea eachyear in search for a better life in European countries, and Libyais one of their transits, with its long borders overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Berlusconi arrived in Sirte earlier in the day for a short visit to Libya.

Speaking to reporters before his visit, Berlusconi said that helooked forward to discussing with Gaddafi in friendly atmosphere to resolve problems between the two countries.

Source: Xinhua