Addressing a joint session of parliamentary foreign affairs and defense committees, Tajani said Rome had already informed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of its offer and noted that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European counterparts had encouraged Italy "to play a role in strengthening Lebanese statehood".
"Lasting peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without Lebanon's stability. Italy supports Israeli-Lebanese dialogue mediated by the United States. We are ready to host direct talks", Tajani said.
The conflict escalated following the outbreak of hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran. Iran-backed Hezbollah has been firing on Israel from Lebanese territory, while Israeli forces have struck Lebanon, including the capital Beirut. More than 2,500 people have been killed in Lebanon. A U.S.-brokered 10-day ceasefire announced on April 16 has been repeatedly violated.
Tajani called for a halt to attacks on both sides. "The Lebanese government must exercise sovereignty over all of its territory, and Hezbollah attacks must stop. At the same time, unacceptable Israeli strikes on villages in southern Lebanon — including Christian ones — must end", he said.
He cited a series of recent incidents he described as highly reprehensible, including an attack on a French nun in Jerusalem, the desecration of a Virgin Mary statue in southern Lebanon and the destruction of a cross.
"These are events we condemn unreservedly. Christians in Lebanon must be protected, and violence by extremist settlers must cease. In Europe, we have approved tough sanctions against them and against Hamas terrorists", Tajani said.
On Iran, Tajani said Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons or missile systems capable of threatening the region, and that negotiations between Iran and the United States, launched in Pakistan, must continue. He also expressed solidarity with the United Arab Emirates following recent attacks he attributed to Iran.
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Source: PAP