Italian Prime Minister will personally go to Lebanon, make a request

The United Nations peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor activities along the demarcation line with Israel, an area that has seen heavy clashes this month between the Israeli army and members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.

Israel has demanded that UNIFIL, which includes more than 1,000 Italian troops, leave. But the countries involved in the mission have refused, angrily denouncing repeated Israeli attacks on bases that have injured several peacekeepers.

"We believe that the attitude of the Israeli forces is completely unjustified," Meloni told the Italian parliament's upper house, describing it as a "flagrant violation" of a UN resolution requiring the mission in Lebanon to carry out its mandate.

In a speech later before the House of Representatives, the Italian Prime Minister said: "I believe that withdrawing troops based on a unilateral request from Israel would be a big mistake. It would undermine the credibility of the mission itself, the credibility of the United Nations."

An Israeli tank enters Lebanon from northern Israel at the Naqoura border crossing, October 13, 2024. Photo: Getty Images

The Italian prime minister's decision to personally travel to Lebanon, despite daily Israeli attacks on the country, highlights Rome's determination to support the UN operation and underscores the southern European EU-NATO member state's anger at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the issue.

Meloni's government has been one of the most pro-Israeli in the past year as it battles regional powers after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel sparked fighting in the narrow strip of land on the Mediterranean coast.

"I understand Israel's reasons for needing to prevent what happened on October 7 from happening again, but that clearly does not mean I agree with every choice they make," Meloni said.

Since Israel began its ground campaign in Lebanon on October 1, UNIFIL positions have been targeted 20 times, including by direct fire and most recently on October 13 when two Israeli tanks crashed through the gates of a UNIFIL base, the United Nations said.

Mr Netanyahu has denied that the Israeli military deliberately attacked the UNIFIL peacekeeping force.

Italy has officially protested to Israel and joined its allies in condemning the attacks on the mission.

Hezbollah has also violated UN resolutions and sought to "militarize the area under UNIFIL's jurisdiction," Meloni said, adding that Italy wants to strengthen the capacities of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The Italian prime minister also asked for security guarantees for his country's troops there. Italy has more than 1,000 troops deployed in UNIFIL. It also has troops in a separate mission called MIBIL, which trains local armed forces in Lebanon.

Minh Duc (According to SwissInfo, AOL)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/thu-tuong-italy-se-dich-than-toi-lebanon-dua-ra-mot-yeu-cau-204241016115414376.htm