(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 15 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday
she should be in Lebanon on Friday.
She did not say for how long.
Previously, in an address to the Senate ahead of the European
Council, Meloni expressed "concern for the ongoing escalation in
Lebanon, because I am seriously worried about the way in which
the scenario is evolving, despite the numerous efforts (made by)
us and our allies".
Meloni said she would travel to Lebanon while Foreign Minister
Antonio will go to Israel and Palestine as Italy seeks to help
international efforts to de-escalate the Middle East crisis.
"It is already planned that I will go to Lebanon, and Minister
Tajani is preparing to go to Israel and Palestine next week",
she said while briefing the Senate on the EU summit in Brussels
from Wednesday to Friday.
"With our presence, too, we are doing everything that is
possible to do".
The premier also spoke about the IDF's attacks on UNIFIL, saying
that, "although no victims or significant damage were
registered", they could not be considered acceptable and this is
"the position Italy has taken with determination at all levels:
we demand that the security of our soldiers is guaranteed" both
within "UNIFIL and the bilateral mission, which together with
the rest of the international community has contributed for
years" to the stability of the border between Israel and
Lebanon..
She stressed that the "attitude of Israeli forces is totally
unjustified and a clear violation of UN resolution 1701", adding
it was necessary to "work for the full implementation of the
resolution, strengthening the full capability of UNIFIL and of
Lebanese armed forces". (ANSA).