Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urgently convened a phone conference with G7 leaders on Wednesday in response to the escalating Middle East crisis, resulting in a strong condemnation of Iran’s attack on Israel.
A diplomatic solution to the Middle East crisis is still possible, the Group of Seven said after a phone conference Wednesday led by Premier and duty G7 chair Meloni, a statement from Palazzo Chigi said.
The leaders agreed to work together to reduce regional tensions, starting with the implementation of UN Resolution 2735 in Gaza and Resolution 1701 to stabilize the Israeli-Lebanese border, the statement noted.
“In expressing strong concern for the escalation of these last hours – the statement continues – it was reiterated that a conflict on a regional scale is in no one’s interest and that a diplomatic solution is still possible”.
On Tuesday night, Meloni held an emergency meeting with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel.
The Italian government urged the UN Security Council to consider strengthening the mandate of the UNIFIL mission to ensure security along the Israel-Lebanon border, in line with current UN resolutions.
UNIFIL, an international peacekeeping force stationed along the border since 2006, includes 1,200 Italian soldiers out of a total force of 10,000. The Italian government has expressed growing concern for their safety.
Defense Minister Crosetto acknowledged that UNIFIL has not fully achieved its objectives but emphasized the mission’s importance in a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday. He stated that Italy is ready to review its decision regarding the deployment of its troops, but he added that “the presence of UN soldiers is the only essential factor preventing direct conflict.”
“If it’s not UN forces in southern Lebanon right now, it will be Israeli soldiers, and the difference is clear to everyone,” Crosetto said. He highlighted that Italy’s presence has been a key factor in restraining senseless violence in the region.
(Alessia Peretti | Euractiv.it)
Source: euractiv.com
