ROME (ITALPRESS) – “We cannot waste any more time. Unifil, the U.N. mission, is essential for peace and stability in Lebanon, but it is necessary to update its rules of engagement and allow the mission itself full and concrete freedom to act, in compliance with U.N. Resolution 1701.”
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said this during a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Sleem Maurice.
“Fundamental, then, will be, increasingly, being able to ensure financial support, training and equipment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (Laf). The stability not only of Lebanon, but of the entire area, will become concrete only when the Laf are stronger than Hezbollah and able to defend their country, guaranteeing security and respect for the borders,” the minister added. According to Crosetto, moreover, “essential is also the greater and closer coordination between the Ceasefire Technical Committee and Unifil. We need to increase and intensify all international efforts, which Italy will continue to strongly support, to arrive at effective implementation of the UN resolutions and for the stability of the strip south of the Litani. I recalled that I had sent a letter, together with my Spanish colleague Margarita Robles, urging a clear UN stance. Of course, I expressed all my and our, of all Italy’s, appreciation for the presence and work, silent and courageous of the Italian contingent of Unifil,” the minister concluded.
(ITALPRESS).
-Photos: ministry of defense-
Lebanon, Crosetto “Unifil essential but update rules of engagement”
