Italy's Defence Chief of Staff
General Luciano Portolano on Sunday criticised UNIFIL's rules of
engagement after the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon came
under fire this week from Israeli forces fighting Hezbollah.
"The mandate issued for UNIFIL is adequate. What is not
adequate, and what has often created frustration for me,
including with the local population, are the rules of
engagement, which are not proportional to the tasks assigned to
the force, including the capacity and the need to disarm armed
groups in Lebanon, in this case Hezbollah," Portolano told State
broadcaster Rai's 'In Mezzora' programme.
He praised the response of the 1,000-strong Italian contingent
to UNIFIL to this week's attacks.
"The reaction of our soldiers in Lebanon, which I hear about on
a daily basis through the contingent commanders, is extremely
professional," Portolano said.
"They are aware of the risks and the rules of engagement and
experience some frustration that their operational activities
are limited by the presence of Israelis in an area under UN
responsibility".
(see related).
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