On Thursday, the Italian Ministry of Defense underscored that "Hezbollah should refrain from using UNIFIL personnel as shields in the conflict's context."
Following a video conference involving EU16 countries, a statement was issued reaffirming their consensus on the necessity to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces through adequate training support and international funding. The aim is to transform it into a credible force that enhances regional stability with UNIFIL's assistance.
The declaration also stressed the significance of upholding stability in Lebanon, highlighting that "any decisions regarding the future of the UNIFIL mission should be taken unanimously at the UN, with a shared determination to apply maximum political and diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt its aggression."
In response, the Italian opposition, led by the head of the Democratic Party, Ally Schlieren, endorsed the European stance and advocated for "increased support for Lebanon."
The conference included defense ministers and representatives from France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Germany, Estonia, Hungary, Malta, and Cyprus.
It is worth noting that Italy contributes significantly to the peacekeeping force, with a contingent of 1,050 personnel.
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