Security is the "basis" of Italy's commitment to Lebanon, foreign minister Luigi Di Maio told Italian soldiers serving with the United Nations UNIFIL peacekeeping force during a visit on Monday.
"The basis of our commitment in Lebanon is security and thanks to your work, our participation in UNIFIL is crucial to this," said Di Maio.
Italy's 1,078-strong UNIFIL contingent is a "key" deterrent to aggression, a "bulwark" of Israeli security and is "vital" for Lebanon's stability, Di Maio said.
Di Maio also underlined UNIFIL's "fundamental" role in political dialogue with Lebanon's and Israel's armies and in strengthening the Lebanese National Army's "operational capacities".
The minister lauded UNIFIL's Italian contingent, calling its soldiers "architects of peace".
"You are the embodiment of Italy's contribution to Lebanon's security and that of the whole Mediterranean region," Di Maio said.
UNIFIL is currently commanded by Italian general Stefano Del Col.
