ROME - Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has left for Lebanon where she will attend a double meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mkati and the President of the National Assembly of Lebanon, Nabih Berri. Prime Minister Meloni intends to show “Italy’s willingness to contribute to the stabilisation of the Israeli Lebanese border” and ask them to protect Italian soldiers.

 This follows as Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, has raised concerns over Israeli bombings attacks hitting UN troops in Lebanon. Crosetto has called for the further increase of UN forces in the country in an attempt to move Israel towards a ceasefire.

 In a speech made to the Italian parliament, Crosetto said that “UN troops must be strengthened, and Lebanese forces made more credible … New rules of engagement are needed.” Crosetto reaffirmed his believe that the earnest is on Israel to abide by international law and to “protect the civilian population, in Gaza as in Lebanon, and the UN contingent.”

 This goes against Israel’s calls for UN forces to leave the border area. Although, Crosetto did state that emergency plans are in place to evacuate the over 1,000 Italian soldiers if necessary.

 The UN troops and Lebanese army are the only troops that are allowed in the demilitarized zone between the Blue Line – the Lebanon-Israel border. – and the Litani River, as stated in the UN resolution adopted in 2006.

 However, over the past week, Israel hit UN positions in southern Lebanon multiple times, sparking worldwide condemnation and fears over what tactics Israel may use next. Israel states the UN has not been targeted, but instead are collateral damage from attacks that were aimed at Hezbollah targets.

 So far, this Israel assault on Lebanon has killed over 1,500 people, with 4,500 further injured and 1.4 million people displaced since the attacks began in late September. Lebanese figures say that the total number of casualties in Lebanon since last October is now over 13,000.

tjpw