Italy's nascent peacekeeping mission in Niger will soon be presented to parliament and will "contribute to creating a pillar of security in the Sahel region," defence minister Roberta Pinotti said on Thursday.
Pinotti was speaking during a videoconference with Italy's 35 peacekeeping missions in 22 countries, which was also attended by head of state Sergio Mattarella and chief of defence staff chief Claudio Graziano.
Italy's military missions around the world "have allowed key successes such as the defeat of the Islamic State (jihadist group) in Syria and Iraq," Pinotti stated.