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STATEMENT BY ITALY’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UN AMB. MAURIZIO MASSARI UN SECURITY COUNCIL PLENARY MEETING ON “THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST”

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Madame President,

Let me first congratulate you for assuming the presidency in this month of October, and also to thank the SG for his briefing, and his work.

Italy firmly condemns yesterday’s Iranian missile attack on Israel. We express deep concern for the ongoing developments and call for restraint and responsibility on all regional actors. Avoiding any further spiral of escalations has to be our common priority, our top priority, as well as preventing another dramatic humanitarian outburst.

Italy will continue to work for a diplomatic solution, also in its capacity as G7 rotating President, for the stabilization of the Israeli-Lebanese border and in this regard strongly recalls the leaders’ declaration of September 25 for a 21-day ceasefire in Lebanon.

And while we are gathering now, our PM is about to host a call of the leaders of G7 to discuss the situation in the region.

Italy calls on all parties involved for the full implementation of Resolution 1701, and invites the Security Council to consider to make the implementation of UNIFIL’s mandate more effective with a view to ensure the security along the Blue Line and to grant the displaced population of Northern Israel and Lebanon to safely return home. The security of all UNIFIL’s personnel has to be respected and fully guaranteed. Sovereignty and territorial Integrity of Lebanon has also to be respected

Madame President,

Italy calls for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon and we will continue to work for a diplomatic solution and we are ready to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in assuming their responsibilities along the border with Israel. To such extent, Italy also deems of utmost importance to fully support and revamp the Lebanon-Israel negotiations to peacefully establish their borders. We will continue to engage with our partners and allies and to keep open channels of dialogue with all the actors in the region.

At the same time, it is equally urgent to reach an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and to release hostages in line with resolution 2735.

At this specific time, it is our collective responsibility to call for calm and restraint, aware of the fact that every minute that goes by, the lives of innocent men, women and children of the entire region hang in the balance.

Italy is a firm supporter of the principle “two people, two states” and shares the goal of a comprehensive lasting regional peace that can ultimately be achieved on the basis of a two-State solution with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within agreed recognized borders, and full recognition of Israel’s existence and respect of its security by all regional actors.

I thank you.