Govt OKs two new missions, Aspides and Levante

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 26 - The government on Monday approved two new Italian international missions, Aspides (Greek for 'shield) to protect Red Sea shipping from Yemen-base and Iran-backed Houthi attacks, and Levante for helping the Palestinian people, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said after a cabinet meeting that also confirmed all other missions by Italy.
    Aspides will be Greek-led but Italy will have tactical command of operations, he said.
    With Levante, Crosetto said, Italy confirms its will to help the Palestinian population, "victim of the Hamas terrorist attacks".
    (ANSA).