A Defense Ministry statement informed that the central focus of the meeting between Crosetto and Lacroix, held at the organization’s headquarters, was the mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “in an increasingly fragile context, marked by the need to avoid a security vacuum” in that nation.
Crosetto stressed the need to consider a possible extension of UNIFIL’s mandate beyond December 31 of this year, when the presence of these international troops in southern Lebanon is scheduled to end, given a complex situation exacerbated by the increase in Israeli attacks.
Due to Tel Aviv’s current aggression against Lebanon, which began on March 2, more than 2,600 people have already died, and some 8,000 have been injured.
The Italian minister said, “Supporting stability, negotiating dialogue and the full implementation of Resolution 1701 are a priority,” including strengthening the United Nations military presence, “through rules of engagement adapted to the new operational context.”
Founded in 1978 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and reconstituted in the summer of 2006, UNIFIL has a mandate for on-the-ground observation that expires at the end of the year, but its future remains uncertain, as proposals are already being drafted that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to present in June.
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