NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, said during the joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, at the Grand Serail: “I was pleased to welcome Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who wished to visit Lebanon in these difficult circumstances we are going through, to express her solidarity with Lebanon and its people and as a message of Italian support for the role and tasks of the international peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon.”
Premier Mikati added: "At the beginning, we discussed the close and historical bilateral relations between Lebanon and Italy, in addition to issues of common interest regarding the Middle East region. Then, we discussed the ongoing war in the south, and we reiterated that the diplomatic solution must take precedence over war, violence and destruction, and is represented first and foremost by Israel’s full commitment to a ceasefire, adherence to international legitimacy, full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and an end to violations of Lebanese sovereignty.”
Mikati continued: "I stressed to Mrs. Meloni that there is no priority above a ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the towns and villages. I stressed Lebanon's commitment to fully implementing all international resolutions related to it, especially Resolution 1701. I expressed our readiness to reinforce the army's presence in the South to carry out its duties in full, in cooperation with UNIFIL forces.”
Mikati also stressed to Meloni Lebanon's gratitude and appreciation for Italy's significant and permanent contribution to the UNIFIL forces, which demonstrates Italy's commitment to Lebanon's safety, stability and the preservation of its territorial integrity.
Mikati added: "Lebanon, which adheres to international legitimacy, rejects Israel's threat against UNIFIL and the attacks it is subjected to, which constitute a flagrant coup against international legitimacy. This requires everyone to stand together against this blatant encroachment on the role of UNIFIL and its great mission of standing by Lebanon and the Lebanese. I also thanked the Prime Minister for her country's continued support for the army and enhancing its capabilities to enable it to carry out all the tasks assigned to it. We also stressed the need to expedite the election of a new president of the republic, which is essential to launching the required economic reform workshop and launching the wheel of economic recovery with the support of Lebanon's friends in the world."
He concluded: "Lebanon has paid and continues to pay a high price for external conflicts, and what is happening now must be a lesson for all Lebanese parties that keeping Lebanon away from external conflicts is required, and that the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over its territory is the solution to all existing problems. Ms. Meloni, welcome to Lebanon, and thank you for standing by our country and our people, hoping that Italy will play an effective role in stopping the aggression against Lebanon and the Lebanese."
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