UNIFIL staying, not hostage to Lebanese militia - Crosetto

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 22 - Italy's UNIFIL contingent is staying in Lebanon but it can't be the hostage to Lebanese militia, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday after two Hezbollah rockets hit a base there slightly hurting four Italian soldiers.
    Crosetto also said UNIFIL bases can't be used as shields.
    "I immediately contacted the commander of the contingent, Stefano Messina, to check on the conditions of the four soldiers, which are not causing concern," said Crosetto.
    "I also contacted my Lebanese counterpart, reiterating that the Italian contingent of Unifil remains in southern Lebanon to offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become hostage to attacks by the militias".
    "It is intolerable that once again a UNIFIL base has been hit. I will try to speak with the new Israeli Defense Minister, which has been impossible since he took office, to ask him to avoid using UNIFIL bases as a shield.
    "Even more intolerable is the presence of terrorists in South Lebanon who are endangering the safety of the UN peacekeepers and the civilian population." (ANSA).