Italy Says Situation in Syria Poses Danger on Lebanon

Italy Says Situation in Syria Poses Danger on Lebanon
by Naharnet Newsdesk
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini stated that the situation in Syria may have
dangerous repercussions on Lebanon, stressing that Lebanon needs stability now more
than ever in order to meet its people’s needs.
He hoped in an interview to Sada al-Balad newspaper to be published on Wednesday that
the Special Tribunal for Lebanon would be able to continue its work effectively and with
the cooperation of all concerned sides.
He voiced his country’s complete support for the tribunal, adding that the confidence vote
that the Lebanese government received is a fundamental development that would allow
Lebanon to confront the economic and political challenges.
On the Italian Senate’s decision to withdraw 700 Italian troops from UNIFIL, Frattini
said that Italy is still committed to protecting Lebanon’s security and stability in light of
its participation in the international force.
He explained that its decision took place in cooperation with the U.N. and it will be
gradually implemented.
He noted that the Italian unit in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is among
the largest in the international force.
Last week, the Italian Senate decided to withdraw 700 Italian troops from UNIFIL as part
of a mission to reduce the number of its troops in peacekeeping forces in several
countries.
Sources said that the decision stemmed from economic reasons and not security ones
considering the decision was made shortly after French UNIFIL troops were injured in a
roadside bomb that was targeting their patrol near the southern city of Sidon on July 26.
L’ORIENT-LE JOUR et la presse du 3/8/2011
Frattini met en garde contre les répercussions dangereuses au Liban des
développements syriens
Le ministre italien des Affaires étrangères, Franco Frattini, a indiqué que la
confiance que le gouvernement Nagib Mikati a obtenue lors du vote de confiance à la
Chambre des députés représente un développement essentiel, susceptible de permettre
au Liban d’affronter les défis politiques et économiques. Dans un entretien à paraître
aujourd’hui dans Sada el-balad, le ministre a déclaré que son pays « soutient le
Tribunal spécial pour le Liban, espérant que le TSL pourra poursuivre ses travaux de
façon efficace, avec la coopération de tous ». M. Frattini a insisté sur le fait que l’Italie
est toujours engagée dans la protection de la sécurité et la stabilité au Liban à travers
la présence de son contingent au Liban-Sud. Il a souligné que la diminution du nombre
des soldats italiens au sein de la Finul, « qui a été étudiée et planifiée en coordination
avec la Finul, sera appliquée de façon graduelle », notant au passage que le nombre des
soldats italiens est parmi les plus importants.
Revenant sur les développements en Syrie, le ministre italien a déclaré que ceuxci peuvent avoir des répercussions dangereuses au Liban « qui a besoin aujourd’hui plus
que jamais de stabilité pour poursuivre son essor et répondre aux priorités dont sa
population a besoin ». (dg)
Italy to keep participating in UNIFIL
August 2, 2011
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Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said in an interview to be published on Wednesday that “his
country is still committed to the protection of Lebanon’s security and stability through its participation in
UNIFIL.”
Frattini told Sada al-Balad newspaper that “the Italian Senate’s decision to reduce the number of soldiers
in UNIFIL will be implemented gradually,” adding that “the Italian battalion will remain one of the biggest
battalions in terms of the number of soldiers.”
He also said that Rome supports the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) probing the
assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, voicing his hope that “the STL can continue its work
effectively with the cooperation of all concerned parties.”
Frattini added that “the situation in Syria can cause many dangers for Lebanon, which needs stability
today more than any time before in order to resume its development and address its people’s priorities.”
The Italian Senate on July 27 approved a government decree that calls for withdrawal of 700 soldiers from
the country’s UNIFIL contingent.
More than 1,600 civilians and 369 members of the army and security forces have been killed since March
15 in Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
-NOW Lebanon