TRIPOLI, October 29 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi held a second round of talks with Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi on Monday, October 28, on a mission to boost the already strong ties between their countries.

The leaders discussed implementation of a 1998 joint declaration and Italian participation in infrastructure projects, a Libyan official said, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

“The implementation of this declaration should help the Libyan people overcome the difficulties of the colonialist period, especially the damage caused by the many minefields across the country,” he said.

Berlusconi arrived early Monday and was immediately received by Kadhafi for talks lasting almost 90 minutes held under a tent in the Bab al-Azizya residence, with the Libyan leader wearing traditional costume.

Berlusconi’s mission to Libya, a former Italian colony, raised reservations within the Rome government when the prime minister announced his plan to visit on October 18, according to newspapers in Italy.

But he insisted that the visit would further boost ties. Tripoli is the main supplier of oil to Italy, while Rome has been at the forefront of European efforts to strengthen ties with Kadhafi’s Libya, considered a “rogue state” by Washington.

But the colonial past has poisoned ties before, with Kadhafi demanding compensation for his country, an issue which Rome says was settled in a 1956 accord with Libya’s King Idriss.

In February, Libya’s official newspapers rejected an offer from Berlusconi to build a hospital to settle damages from the colonial occupation.

“Would Italy be prepared to accept a hospital for 700,000 deaths?” asked Al-Jamahiriya, referring to victims of the 1911-1945 occupation.

Berlusconi’s visit also coincides with the announcement in Italy by top football club Juventus that Saadi Kadhafi, son of the Libyan leader, has joined the board.

He takes his place on the board as representative for the Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company which holds 7.30 percent of the share capital in the Turin club.

The prime minister was due to leave later Monday.

On Saturday, Libya has closed its airports and severed phone links with the outside world in the latest demand for compensation from former colonial power, Italy, reported the BBC’s online news service.

People who phoned Libya received a recorded message: “As part of the mourning over the victims of the savage crimes committed by the Italian fascists against the Libyan people, all international telecommunications are to be halted today.”

Libyans wore black to mark the Day of Mourning and black banners fluttered over homes, government buildings, buses and cars said the official Libyan news agency, JANA, reported the BBC.

Airports were closed down, but opened briefly for a visit by Amr Moussa, secretary general of the Arab League, which Libya is threatening to leave, said the BBC adding that Libyan satellite television broadcast its programs in black and white on Saturday.