NNA – Caretaker National Defense Minister, Maurice Sleem, on Tuesday received in his office, the Italian Undersecretary of State for Defense, Giorgio Mulè, at the head of a delegation, accompanied by Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Nicoletta Bombardiere.

The meeting reportedly touched on the relations between the defense ministries of both countries and Italy's active participation in the international peacekeeping forces operating in south Lebanon, and UNIFIL’s mandate renewal issue.

The Caretaker Minister thanked Italy for its support to the military institution in all fields of cooperation and the role it plays within the framework of the international peacekeeping forces.

In this context, Minister Sleem affirmed, "Lebanon's keenness that UNIFIL continues to perform its tasks without any modification, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions."

For his part, the Italian official affirmed his country's stand by Lebanon and its continuous support for the Lebanese army, thanking Minister Sleem for his efforts to extend the military cooperation agreement between the two countries last March.

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