President Meloni welcomes initiation of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon

The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, welcomes with satisfaction and strongly supports the news of the initiation of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, as announced today by Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The Italian Government, which has already condemned Hezbollah's irresponsible decision to drag Lebanon into this conflict, has actively supported the launch of direct negotiations between the two nations for a long time, firmly believing that this constitutes the only way to bring about a lasting end to hostilities between Lebanon and Israel.

In this context, Italy will continue to support the strengthening of the Lebanese State and its institutions so that the Lebanese Government can restore its sovereignty throughout the national territory, including the state monopoly on arms.

An immediate ceasefire is also necessary to bring an end to the suffering of the Lebanese and Israeli civilian populations and to create the best conditions possible for the success of the negotiation process launched on Tuesday this week between the USA, Iran and Israel.