Lebanese prime minister meets with Italian counterpart

By Naim Berjawi and Esat Firat

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has met with his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and discussed efforts to reduce tensions in southern Lebanon.

Mikati and Meloni met in the capital Beirut on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Lebanese Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, UN Security Council resolutions concerning the region and Lebanon were discussed.

Mikati reaffirmed his country's commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions, especially UN Resolution 1701.

He emphasized the need for Israel to also fully implement resolutions and to cease its attacks on Lebanon's sovereignty.

Mikati expressed his sorrow and condolences over the loss of seven lives and injuries to four individuals in an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon the previous evening.

Meloni, who was on her first official visit to Lebanon, had arrived in Beirut on Wednesday.

According to a report by Lebanon's official news agency NNA, 16 people lost their lives in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon Wednesday.