"We would like to see Italian and Libyan military forces carry out joint exercises, and the Italian and Libyan navies staging joint patrols" especially to intercept illegal immigrants, Seif Al-Islam Kadhafi said.

He was speaking at a meeting to mark an August 30 friendship treaty, which he said marked the start of a "new phase" in bilateral relations, after Italy apologised for its 1911-1947 colonisation of Libya.

The treaty calls for Rome to pay Tripoli five billion dollars (3.87 billion euros) a year over 25 years as compensation.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini called Libya "a reliable country, recognised as such by the international community". He added that the elder Kadhafi would be "welcomed as a friend" if he wishes to travel to Italy.

The number of illegal immigrants to Italy has shot up this year to about 23,600 between January and September against some 14,200 the previous year.

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