Italy's prime minister Giuseppe Conte on Friday hailed the formation of a new national unity government in Lebanon after parliamentary polls held in May last year, calling it "a long-awaited and positive development".
"This long-awaited and positive development will contribute to making Lebanon more stable, united and prosperous country," Conte said after the country's political faction agreed on a new cabinet, ending nearly nine months of wrangling.
The new 30-member cabinet headed by premier Saad al-Hariri will include most of the country's rival factions, including the Iran-backed Shia movement Hezbollah which made gains in last May's elections.
"Italy remains at the side of Lebanon's people and its institutions during the journey to peace, dialogue and social cohesion. Wishing every success to the new executive, it recommends that it keep its distance from regional crises and shows its strong commitment to Lebanon's security," Conte's statement said.
Underlining Italy's "historic ties of friendship" with Lebanon, Conte said he looked forward to meeting president Michel Aoun and other top office-bearers during his visit there next Thursday.
Conte's official visit to Lebanon on 7 February comes "at an especially crucial moment for its future," the statement concluded.
The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, is under Italian command and Italy currently contributes 1,065 troops, according to UNIFIL's website.
