STORY: Italian PM visits Lebanon to show solidarity amid Israeli attacks
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 18, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:47
LOCATION: Beirut
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arriving at Beirut airport
2. various of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati
3. various of the press conference
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GIORGIA MELONI, Italian Prime Minister
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister
6. various of Meloni and Mikati leaving the press room

STORYLINE:

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Lebanon on Friday to convey a message of support to the Lebanese people who are embroiled in the Hezbollah-Israeli conflict.
   
In a joint press conference after meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Meloni said her presence in Lebanon aims to express solidarity and closeness to civilians suffering from the consequences of the conflict.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GIORGIA MELONI, Italian Prime Minister
"This is why I repeat that I consider targeting UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is unacceptable. And I ask once again that all parties try to ensure that, at all times, the safety of each of the soldiers is guaranteed. This is also why I am also convinced that UNIFIL must be strengthened. Only by strengthening UNIFIL while maintaining its impartiality, we will be able to turn the page. And I think that we have to come back to the initial mission of UNIFIL and do it properly in coordination with love. I am also convinced that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) must be put in the best conditions to be able to assume their responsibilities. The goal is to increase the overall capabilities of the Lebanese security forces by strengthening the current training and education programs in agreement with the Lebanese authorities. I discussed all these topics with Prime Minister Mikati and I agreed with him on the full actual implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This also means that in the south of the river Litani, there must be no other military presence than that of UNIFIL and LAF."
   
For his part, Mikati urged Israel to fully commit to a ceasefire, respect international law, implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and cease any violations of Lebanese sovereignty.
   
He stressed the government's readiness "to strengthen the army's presence in the south to carry out its duties in full in cooperation with UNIFIL forces."
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): NAJIB MIKATI, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister
"Lebanon, which adheres to international legitimacy, rejects Israel's request from the UNIFIL to leave its positions and its attacks against peacekeepers which constitute a blatant violation of international legitimacy, and a blatant encroachment on the role of UNIFIL and its great mission in standing by Lebanon and the Lebanese."
   
He added that "the sovereignty of the Lebanese state over its territory is the solution to all existing problems," expressing his hope that "Italy will play an effective role in stopping the ongoing aggression against Lebanon and the Lebanese."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beirut.
(XHTV)