Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said
on Sunday that he is being constantly briefed on the evolution
od the situation in Lebanon where the Italian military is not
under immediate threat, although the situation is "extremely
delicate".
"UNIFIL is not the objective of attacks, even if the increased
level and intensity of clashes makes its accidental involvement
possible", noted Crosetto.
The withdrawal of the military contingent stationed in Lebanon
"is not under discussion at the moment", he added.
Crosetto went on to say that the defence and foreign ministries
have however taken all necessary measures for a potential
evacuation of Italian civilians in the country if the situation
should further deteriorate.
Italy has over 1,000 members of the military deployed with
UNIFIL while approximately 200 others are in Beirut as part of
the Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon (MIBIL).
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