Italian PM pledges support to Lebanon

Visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi Wednesday pledged his country's support to Lebanon, saying that Italy would help enforce stability in Lebanon.

"The stability of Lebanon is the instrument toward stability of the area," Prodi told reporters after his meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Fouad Siniora.

He said that he come to Lebanon to convey his country's support, calling for economic and political collaboration in reconstruction of Lebanon.

Prodi also praised the leadership of Siniora, saying that Siniora showed strong leadership abilities during very difficult times of Lebanon.

As for the two abducted Israeli soldiers, Prodi said his country hoped the issue could be resolved and was ready to help in this regard.

For his part, Siniora appreciated Prodi's efforts in adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the participation of Italian troops in the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Siniora reiterated that the participation of Italy and other countries in the UNIFIL was "to support the independence and sovereignty of Lebanon."

He said that the Lebanese government would work to bring all its territories under its control and guarantee the government is the only weapons holder in implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Meanwhile, the prime minister also stressed the need to halt Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, saying that contacts were being made within the international community "to reach a final ceasefire and resolve the occupied Shebaa Farms crisis."

Prodi arrived in Beirut late Tuesday night on an official visit, during which he met with Lebanese officials and visited Italian troops working under the UNIFIL in South Lebanon.

Italy has the biggest force in the UNIFIL, deploying about 2, 500 soldiers in southern Lebanon and a five-ship fleet in Lebanese territorial waters.

Italy also shares the command of UNIFIL with France until the end of 2006.

Source: Xinhua