Today the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, met Abdallah Bou Habib, the Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, on the sidelines of the seventh edition of the Rome Med Dialogues.
Minister Di Maio recalled the traditional bonds of friendship that unite Italy to Lebanon, which is a fundamental partner and a key country for the stability of the Middle East. He went on to express concern about the serious economic situation in Lebanon, and encouraged the Lebanese government to adopt the reforms necessary to overcome the crisis and to hold elections without delay.
He confirmed Italy’s determination to support Lebanon’s security and stability, both via participation in the UNIFIL mission, of which Italy has command, and via Italy’s MIBIL bilateral training mission. He also recalled the significant commitment of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in favour of Lebanon, including in the aftermath of the explosions at the Port of Beirut in 2020.
Concluding, the two Ministers had an overview of the main regional issues, sharing the hope that a climate of collaboration can be re-established in the region.
