Italy's UNIFIL contingent is staying
in Lebanon but it can't be the hostage to Lebanese militia,
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Friday after two Hezbollah
rockets hit a base there slightly hurting four Italian soldiers.
Crosetto also said UNIFIL bases can't be used as shields.
"I immediately contacted the commander of the contingent,
Stefano Messina, to check on the conditions of the four
soldiers, which are not causing concern," said Crosetto.
"I also contacted my Lebanese counterpart, reiterating that the
Italian contingent of Unifil remains in southern Lebanon to
offer a window of opportunity for peace and cannot become
hostage to attacks by the militias".
"It is intolerable that once again a UNIFIL base has been hit. I
will try to speak with the new Israeli Defense Minister, which
has been impossible since he took office, to ask him to avoid
using UNIFIL bases as a shield.
"Even more intolerable is the presence of terrorists in South
Lebanon who are endangering the safety of the UN peacekeepers
and the civilian population."
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