The government attributed the release to procedural reasons. But critics say it is because Italy depends on Libya to stem the flow of migrants from Africa.

Italian media reports and a Libyan official say police in Turin have arrested a Libyan warlord wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes.

Osama al Najim, commander of the Libyan judicial police, has been arrested in Turin, according to reports Monday. There was reportedly a tip from Interpol about the man's presence in the northwestern Italian city.