Italian defense minister visits Lebanon

It is important to strengthen Lebanese Armed Forces for regional stability, says Guido Crosetto

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto on Friday visited Lebanon.

Crosetto met with Lebanese counterpart Maurice Sleem and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Joseph Aoun, in Beirut, according to Italy’s state-run ANSA news agency.

Speaking to the news agency regarding his meetings in Beirut, Crosetto said: "The stability of the entire area, not just Lebanon, will only become a concrete reality when the Armed Forces are stronger than Hezbollah and able to defend their country."

UN peacekeeping forces in south Lebanon are another important factor for peace and security in the country, he added.

However, Crosetto said that it is necessary to update its rules of engagement and give the mission full and concrete freedom to act, in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Kaynak:

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