2024-07-28 16:34:38
(ANSA) – ROME, JULY 28 – “For months I have been asking the United Nations leaders to reflect on the results achieved by the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and on the need to change the rules of engagement and redefine a strategy. Today, time is up and we are faced with a new urgency that does not allow for wasting time. The entire international community must apply Security Council Resolution 1701. It is the only way to prevent a devastating war in Lebanon as well. The resolution provides for a strip between the Blue Line and the Litani River, without weapons other than those of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces. In recent years, this has not been the case. Now we can no longer pretend nothing is happening”. This was stated by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, expressing concern “for the safety of the Italian and international personnel involved in the UNIFIL mission”. “Since yesterday – the minister said – I have been following and monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon, in constant contact with the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Cavo Dragone, the joint operational commander, General Figliuolo and the director of AISE, General Caravelli. I express deep concern for the recent and increasingly serious tensions in Lebanon, between Israel and Hezbollah. Tensions have risen dangerously in intensity after yesterday’s barbaric attack in Majdal Shams, which hit, killed and injured defenceless boys on a football pitch. The concern for a further worsening of the situation on the border between Lebanon and Israel, for the possibility of a new war front in a region tormented for decades – he continued – overlaps with that for the safety of the Italian and international personnel involved in the UN mission of Unifil. The Italian contingent will continue to operate with dedication, to prevent this from happening, according to the principles of international law”. (ANSA).
2024-07-28 16:34:38