08 Feb 2022; MEMO: Italy has donated military vehicles and other equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the local population.
Last week at the Naval Base in Beirut, a ceremony for the donated materials took place in the presence of Italy's Ambassador to Lebanon, Nicoletta Bombardiere, commander of the Italian Joint Command Operations, General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, and the Italian Defence Attache in Lebanon, Colonel Marco Zona.
According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), the shipment is part of the on-going collaboration between the two countries within the defence sector and the follow-up to the Rome II Conference and of the international commitment to support the modernisation of the LAF's capabilities. It follows the international videoconference under the aegis of the UN, co-chaired by the ministers of defence of Italy and France in June last year.
"This first vehicle delivery is a tangible sign of Italy's … closeness to Lebanon, its people and the Lebanese Armed Forces," said Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini who was also in attendance.
"The bond of friendship between Italy and Lebanon has deep historical roots based on our common Mediterranean identity," he said.
"Our continued presence in that country since 1980 is a clear testimony to our commitment to peace and stability across the entire region."
Two 20-seat buses, a tanker and an inflatable boat were delivered as part of the first batch of donations, which is to be completed by the end of the year.
During Guerini's last visit to Beirut on Christmas Eve, he met with his Lebanese counterpart Maurice Sleem and Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss strengthening military cooperation and the role of the Italian armed forces within the framework of the UNIFIL in maintaining stability in southern Lebanon.
