(Adnkronos) – Italy is willing to help Lebanon’s armed forces to acquire full control the national territory and route pro-Iranian group Hezbollah’s armed wing – a “terrorrist military organisation that continues to create problems by attacking Israel” – foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday.
“We will continue to do our part on the diplomatic front and are ready to ensure a presence in Lebanon to help strengthen the organisation and training of the Lebanese armed forces, which we believe must have full control of Lebanese territory,” Tajani said.
The minister was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg.
“Lebanon cannot be partially controlled by Hezbollah, which is not a legitimate organisation: it is a terrorist military organization that continues to create problems by attacking Israel,” Tajani concluded.
Italy currently has up to 1,256 personnel, 374 land vehicles and 6 planes deployed annually to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is due to end on 31 December.
Italy also has a bilateral military mission in Lebanon (MIBIL) which trains Lebanese military staff and gives support to refugees in the crisis-hit country.
