The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Angelino Alfano, met his Lebanese counterpart, Gebril Bassil, at the Farnesina

“I reiterate the firm condemnation of any limitation to the freedom of Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri,” said Minister Alfano. He pointed out that, “Italy is part of an international support group to uphold Lebanese sovereignty and to promote an orderly respect of the functioning of Lebanon’s democratic institutions.” He added: “The stability of Lebanon is of strategic importance for the region and for the world. Efforts must be made to prevent any interference of regional powers in internal affairs. Italy has made substantial investments in Lebanon, especially through the UNIFIL mission. This is why today we pay special attention to the continuing crisis.”