Foreign Ministry Secretary General Ambassador Valensise joined Defence Chief of Staff Admiral Binelli Mantelli in opening an international meeting today at the Foreign Ministry in Rome centred on support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces, in preparation for an international conference of foreign ministers to be held in late June in Rome and chaired by Ministers Mogherini and Pinotti. Approximately 20 countries and international organisations were represented at today’s meeting.
All participants agreed on the Lebanese Armed Forces’ crucial and symbolic role in safeguarding the identity, unity and security of the State. Appreciation was also expressed during the meeting for the results achieved by the Lebanese government in increasing the armed forces’ efficiency, especially with regard to border defence and counter-terrorism.
Today’s meeting confirmed Italy’s role in maintaining Lebanese stability, in close coordination with the Lebanese authorities and the United Nations and within the framework of the International Support Group for Lebanon.
“Italy is especially committed to fostering stability in Lebanon. We are facilitating and coordinating the international community’s and principal donors’ renewed attention for a friendly nation that is also crucial to regional balances”, Ambassador Valensise underscored.
“Supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces”, the Defence Chief of Staff asserted, “is one of our top priorities, in line with a commitment to international peacekeeping and that is borne out by our years of participation in the UNIFIL mission”.