ROME (ITALPRESS) – The Supreme Defense Council, chaired by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, met at the Quirinale Palace. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Defense Minister Guido Crosetto; Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso; and Chief of Defense Staff General Luciano Portolano. Also present were Undersecretary of State for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano; Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Ugo Zampetti; Advisor to the President of the Republic for the Affairs of the Supreme Council of Defense and Secretary of the Council, Francesco Saverio Garofani. The Council renewed the closeness and solidarity of the Italian Republic with the Israeli people one year after the barbaric attack by Hamas against defenseless citizens and considers it imperative that all hostages still held in inhumane detention be released immediately. The Council strongly supports Israel’s right to exist in peace and security and to defend itself from attack, in accordance with international and humanitarian law. It is concerned about the continuing serious and unacceptable resurgence of sentiments of anti-Semitism, which must be condemned and vigorously opposed.At the same time, it is deeply concerned about the unacceptable conditions of civilians in Gaza, whose people continue to suffer unspeakable grief and suffering and have a right to be removed from the destruction and violence of war. The Council considers it urgent to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure, effectively and unimpeded, the distribution of humanitarian aid. It is necessary, with determination, to work toward a negotiated settlement between Israel and Palestine that, with the concurrence of the international community, provides for the establishment of two sovereign and independent states. The Council believes that Iranian missile attacks on Israel represent an additional element of tension, an issue recently addressed by the Italian presidency in the G7 context. Particular attention was paid to southern Lebanon garrisoned by the military of the UNIFIL mission and where about 1,000 Italian soldiers are operating, to whom, as well as to the participants in the bilateral MIBIL mission in Beirut, go, in addition to thanks, strong closeness and a sense of gratitude for the exemplary professionalism shown in the fulfillment of their mandate. The aggravation of the situation, caused by the numerous ordnance launches toward Israel and Israeli military operations against Hezbollah militias, makes it more important than ever to support initiatives to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) so that they are able to effectively ensure full control of the entire Lebanese territory starting with the Blue Line in cooperation with UNIFIL. Alarmingly, the suffering and casualties among the civilian population, which is in dire conditions as a result of the ongoing conflict.In particular, the Council believes that the removal from southern Lebanon of illegal weaponry, made even more evident by the actions carried out by Hezbollah militiamen in the area garrisoned by UNIFIL, can only be achieved through the full participation of the parties in the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 in 2006. There now emerges the need to cease fire and to urge an initiative both at the UN and with the mission’s contributing countries to reinforce UNIFIL to make it more effective with respect to the purpose for which it was established.The security and protection of UNIFIL personnel, whose presence is crucial to the stabilization of the region, remains central. The Council finds unacceptable the attacks on UN peacekeepers by the Israeli army and stresses that all parties to the conflict have an obligation under Resolution 1701 as well as international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and facilities.With reference to the war in Ukraine, the Council reiterated Italy’s full support for the aggressed country in its defense against the invader and the need to seek prospects that will pave the way for a just and lasting peace in accordance with international law. The Council reviewed the principles and salient points of the plan presented by President Zelensky to the Italian government during his recent institutional visit. The reconstruction of the country at the end of the conflict will be of paramount importance and Italy can contribute with the instruments at our country’s disposal.The Council, at the end of its work, expressed feelings of closeness and gratitude for all the military personnel engaged in the various operations in Italy and abroad.
– Quirinal press office photo –
(ITALPRESS).
