Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni plans to visit Lebanon amid safety concerns for UN peacekeepers following Israeli attacks. Meloni condemned these actions, calling them violations of UN Resolution 1701. Italy has 1,000 troops in UNIFIL and will keep them in Lebanon. Additionally, Italy announced financial aid of €17 million for displaced Lebanese affected by the violence.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to visit Lebanon in response to rising concerns over the safety of United Nations peacekeepers. In a recent address to the Italian Senate, she condemned Israeli attacks on these forces in Lebanon, emphasizing that Italy, as the largest contributor of troops to the UN mission, strongly disapproves of such actions. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that despite security threats, Italian forces will remain active in the region.
Meloni revealed her upcoming trip to Lebanon while noting that Minister Tajani plans to visit Israel and Palestine next week. This decision comes after five peacekeepers from the UNIFIL mission were injured due to Israeli military operations against Hezbollah, which commenced earlier this month. Italy currently has 1,000 troops engaged in UNIFIL and another mission, MIBIL, aimed at training local armed forces.
The Prime Minister articulated that the Israeli military’s actions against UNIFIL are unjustifiable and breaches U.N. Resolution 1701, designed to prevent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. She reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to Israel’s right to peace and security, contingent upon adherence to international humanitarian laws. Additionally, Italy allocated €17 million in humanitarian aid for displaced Lebanese citizens due to escalated conflicts.
This week, representatives from 40 countries participating in UNIFIL denounced the recent assaults by Israeli forces, calling for thorough investigations into the incidents. Foreign Minister Tajani stressed, “Hands off Italian soldiers; they are not Hezbollah militants!” Meloni’s office has yet to clarify when her visit to Lebanon will occur.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
