Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on
Wednesday said Italy is ready to evacuate Italians from Lebanon,
if necessary.
"The defence is ready to play its part and, if necessary, it can
conduct operations to evacuate" Italians in Lebanon, "including
autonomously", said the minister.
Addressing the Lower House and Senate foreign affairs and
defence commissions, Crosetto also said the "risk level for our
military has not increased because they are not targets of
direct attacks".
"However, the situation is very difficult and concerning due to
the possibility of unwanted incidents that cannot be ruled out".
Italy has over 1,000 troops in the United Nations Interim Force
in Lebanon, which numbers nearly 10,500 soldiers in all.
Approximately 200 other Italians are in Beirut as part of the
Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL).
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