The 16 EU countries contributing to the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon believe its rules of engagement need to be more effective, the Italian defence ministry said on Wednesday, although that hinged on Israel stopping its operations.
The countries, including Spain, Italy and France, contribute more than a third of some 10,000 troops to UNIFIL and the recent incidents have alarmed European governments.
Their defence ministers spoke by video call on Wednesday to assess the situation, discuss how to improve force protection and look at options should a ceasefire materialise, including troop numbers and equipment, diplomats said.
"It was also strongly expressed that the rules of engagement need to be revised to allow UNIFIL to operate more effectively and safely," an Italian defence ministry statement said, without going into detail.
It added that the 16 had shown a willingness to exert maximum political and diplomatic pressure on Israel so that no further incidents occur
The countries, including Spain, Italy and France, contribute more than a third of some 10,000 troops to UNIFIL and the recent incidents have alarmed European governments.
Their defence ministers spoke by video call on Wednesday to assess the situation, discuss how to improve force protection and look at options should a ceasefire materialise, including troop numbers and equipment, diplomats said.
"It was also strongly expressed that the rules of engagement need to be revised to allow UNIFIL to operate more effectively and safely," an Italian defence ministry statement said, without going into detail.
It added that the 16 had shown a willingness to exert maximum political and diplomatic pressure on Israel so that no further incidents occur
1 yr. ago
