Italy has strong political, economic and cultural relations with Lebanon and has invested "long-term" in preserving it as a stable unitary state and in bolstering its institutions, foreign minister Luigi said on Monday during a visit.
"We have made a long-term investment in Lebanon to maintain its unity and stability, to strengthen its institutions and the resilience of its people," Di Maio said in a speech posted to Facebook.
Italy's contribution to the United Nations UNIFIL peacekeeping force (headed by Italian general Stefano Del Col), cooperation and development programmes and "many" economic and cultural initiatives show the country' ongoing support to Lebanon, Di Maio said.
"We have a long tradition of friendship and deep ties that bind us to this land and to these communities," he stated.
Di Maio underlined Italy's "political commitment" in Lebanon which he said would continue in the future.
"I also confirm the intensity of (bilateral) political relations and the frequent high-level visits (on both sides)," Di Maio said.
