Saturday, May 28, 2011

Lebanon, La Russa: "You are wounded, no deaths" Severe conditions of two Italian soldiers

No Italian soldier died in the attack this afternoon in Lebanon, reported the general Massimo Fogari. The spokesman of the Defence Staff, has thus denied the rumors about the death of one or more military, the news spread quickly after the attack. Six peacekeepers were injured, however, along with three civilians Libyans.

"Two of the injuries are severe - added the Minister of Defense Ignazio La Russa - one risked losing an eye while the other has a tear in the carotid artery and has already been operated on." According to hospital sources in which they are hospitalized, but both are out of danger. The military are victims of the explosion of a bomb - probably 10 pounds and driven away - hidden behind a concrete barrier on the highway directly to the port city of Sidon, 40 kilometers south of Beirut.

The blast happened at the passage of a convoy of four vehicles of the UN forces engaged in the UNIFIL II destroyed the vehicle and hit the last third. The site of the attack would be the same as August 1st another bomb exploded at the passage of half traveling on Irish peacekeepers. Still confused, however, the details of the attack, including the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, who asked to be kept up to date.

"Until this moment I do not know anything more," he said. The convoy - said a spokesman for UNIFIL - was on a mission logistics. More than one could be the cause of the attack: the International Day of UN Peacekeepers - which is celebrated today - they are reminded of the peacekeepers killed in various missions around the world, or a response to the G8 meeting in Deauville, which has launched a fund for democracies born from the 'Arab Spring'.

"Worries - said Napolitano - the fact that in Lebanon, in an area of extreme sensitivity for the Middle East, can take something that has never taken so far, a terrorist attack, if it is confirmed that this is all about" . The Italian soldiers in UNIFIL in Lebanon - called in Italy 'operation Leontes' - are part of the mechanized brigade 'Aosta'.

For the first time engaged in the region after several appearances in the Balkans, has received the handover by colleagues in the cavalry brigade 'Pozzuolo del Friuli', returned to Italy, last May 10. Italy participates in the mission with a military contingent of nearly 2,000 men, including the naval component.

Founded in 1978 to monitor the border between Lebanon and Israel, the mission was extended after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. But by the time the Italian government is said to intend to reduce its presence in the region. "We will find the way - said the foreign minister, Franco Frattini - who can not be to say that from tomorrow we leave, is a gradual reduction".

"First I called for the withdrawal from the mission in Lebanon - said the Minister of Simplification and member of the Northern League, Roberto Calderoli - I continue to believe that the missions in which we are too busy and in too many countries: in some places are even more representatives of the United States.

" It was August 6, 1997 when four Italian soldiers have died in Lebanon. During a night training flight, an AB205 helicopter fell to the ground due to the sudden deterioration in weather conditions, causing the death of Army captains Antonino Sgro and Joseph Parisi, the chief marshal Massimo Gatti el'appuntato Carabinieri Daniel Forner.

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