Italy is engaged in a common effort with other international partners to strengthen Lebanon’s armed forces, the aim being to stabilise a country in a strategic position in the Middle East. This is the key message to emerge from the meeting at the Farnesina between Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini and her Lebanese colleague Gebran Bassil.
International conference in Rome
The two foreign ministers discussed the international conferencethat will be taking place in the early summer in Rome to draw up a support plan for the Lebanese armed forces. A preparatory meeting will be held on 10 April 2014, again in Rome, to discuss technical issues.
Support for Lebanon’s armed forces.
“Italy is determined to support Lebanon in strengthening its armed forces”, said Minister Mogherini. “Lebanon is a vitally important country for us too, surrounded as it is by conflicts that could spread. Strengthening its army is a strategic investment for our security, because stability for Lebanon means stability for Europe”.
Combating terrorism and defending our borders are the goal, says Bassil
“Our goal is to build a strong, modern army to protect our people from terrorism and defend our borders”, observed Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil. “The conference being organised in Rome is testimony to the international community’s confidence in our country. And the Government of National Unity that we have just created is proof of our sense of responsibility”. Turning to the Syrian crisis, Minister Bassil commented “we are defending the country from any threat from Syria, but we certainly don’t want Lebanon to become a base for attacks against that country either”.
Israel and Palestine on Mogherini’s visit schedule
“I intend to visit Israel and Palestine as soon as possible, in the coming weeks, even”, announced Minister Mogherini during the joint press conference at the end of her meeting with Bassil. The aim of the visit will be “to support the efforts of the American Secretary of State, Kerry, to keep both sides at the peace negotiating table”.
