Italian FM Antonio Tajani condemned Israel’s “serious attacks” on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, urging respect for international law and UN missions.
Tajani emphasized the significance of Lebanon's stability
and the work of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate was
recently renewed, during a meeting in Rome with Massad Boulos, the US senior
counselor for Africa and Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs.
Tajani emphasized Libya's strategic significance forEuropean and global security during the discussions, which also centered on the
stability of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
In order to combat human trafficking and irregular
migration, he reiterated Italy's commitment to enhancing collaboration with
Sahelian and North African nations.
Tajani also emphasized the United States' and Italy's
commitment to the immediate release of all hostages and a truce in the GazaStrip.
Along with stressing collaboration under Italy's Mattei Plan
to fortify strategic connections with Africa, Tajani and Boulos also stressed
the necessity of maintaining peace in the Horn of Africa.
Israeli drones dropped four grenades near UNIFIL forces
clearing barricades along the de facto boundary, the Blue Line, early Tuesday,
the organization claimed.
Since 1978, UNIFIL has been active in southern Lebanon.
Following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese resistance
group, UNIFIL was greatly strengthened by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
On October 8, 2023, Israel began
a military offensive in Lebanon that quickly turned into a full-scale conflict
by September of the same year, killing over 4,000 people and injuring 17,000
more.
Although a truce was agreed upon in November of last year,
Israel has been attacking southern Lebanon almost every day, allegedly to
target Hezbollah activities.
The agreement called for Israel to completely leave southern
Lebanon by January 26. However, Tel Aviv's refusal to cooperate resulted in the
deadline being moved to February 18. Israel still has troops stationed at five
outposts along the border.
What immediate diplomatic steps did Italy take after
Tajani's condemnation?
Antonio Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister, met with
Massad Boulos, the U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa and Arab and Middle Eastern
Affairs, in Rome to converse about the Mediterranean and Middle East stability
in light of recent events.
Tajani stressed the strategic importance of Lebanon's
stability as well as UNIFIL's work, which just had its mandate renewed.
Italy reaffirmed it would keep reinforcing cooperation
across North African and Sahel's states to fight against irregular migration
and human trafficking. Tajani and Boulos jointly reiterated the need for a
ceasefire to the fighting in the Gaza Strip as well as the release of all
hostages.
Discussions also targeted a reinforced humanitarian
assistance program and to relaunch political dialogue for a two-state solution
to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.