Italy Commits to Ongoing Support for Lebanon's Armed Forces

Beirut, Dec 7 (NationPress) Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto emphasized Italy's unwavering support for the Lebanese army during a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Maurice Slim.

"Italy will persist in its support for the Lebanese army by hosting additional conferences aimed at enhancing its capabilities, particularly at this crucial juncture," Crosetto stated on Friday.

The two leaders explored matters concerning bilateral ties, current events in Lebanon, military collaboration between their nations, and the significant role of the Italian unit within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to reports from Xinhua, as cited by Lebanon's National News Agency.

In response, Slim expressed gratitude to Italy for its backing of Lebanon and its assistance to the military, highlighting Lebanon's commitment to ensuring the safety of UNIFIL and its continued operations despite the Israeli attacks on its locations.

"The army has always been and will continue to be dedicated to collaborating with UNIFIL, especially during this critical time when the army plays a pivotal role in maintaining security and stability in the south in close partnership with UNIFIL," Slim remarked.

The Lebanese minister underscored the persistent hostile actions perpetrated by the Israeli adversary, which represent a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two parties, while reaffirming Lebanon's adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in its entirety.

The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, came into effect in late November, aiming to put an end to nearly 14 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.