UNIFIL's role fundamental says Mattarella

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 31 - President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday reiterated the importance of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, which Italy contributes around 1,000 troops to, after the UN peacekeepers recently came under attack from Israeli forces fighting Hezbollah.
    "The Armed Forces are a protagonist in this action of containment and deterrence for stability and peace," Mattarella said at an awards ceremony for the Military Order of Italy honours before Italian Armed Forces Day on November 4.
    "The institutions' commitment relies on the deterrence factor they represent, which is necessary to prevent the use of arms.
    "At this time, our thoughts go to the Italian contingent deployed in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and to all the blue helmets operating in that very delicate situation.
    "It is fundamentally important to uphold international humanitarian law that that mission represents.
    "My wish to them is that, having completed their important mission, they will soon be able to return to their families".
    (ANSA).