Lebanon, Portolano visits his Dimonios

In a moment of high geopolitical tension, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Luciano Portolano, traveled to Lebanon to express his closeness and institutional support to the soldiers of the Unifil contingent, currently led by the Brigata Sassari.

The visit holds deep symbolic and operational value: Portolano, who was once the commander of the "Dimonios", returned among his men at a time when the border between Lebanon and Israel is the scene of violent clashes between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah.

Diplomatic Mission and Institutional Meetings

Before reaching the operational bases, the General conducted a series of high-level talks to stabilize the dialogue between the involved parties. The agenda included:

• Lebanese Military Leaders: Meeting with the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Haykal.
• Political Authorities: Meetings with the Minister of Defense, General Menassa, and the President of the Lebanese Republic, Joseph Aoun.

These talks reiterated the need for constant cooperation between international and local forces to prevent the collapse of security in the region.

The General's Analysis: Risk of Escalation

During his speech to the soldiers, Portolano did not hide the seriousness of the situation. His words outline a picture of extreme fragility:

"The situation in Lebanon is marked by high tension and a concrete risk of escalation. The growing instability requires continuous monitoring and a posture based on maximum caution."

Despite the crossfire and tangible risks faced by the contingent in recent weeks, the Chief of Defense Staff praised the resilience of the Italian soldiers, emphasizing how professionalism and a sense of responsibility remain the pillars of Italian action abroad.

The Role of Unifil and Resolution 1701

According to General Portolano, the Unifil mission is not only necessary but irreplaceable. In a context where violations of UN Resolution 1701 are frequent on both sides, the international contingent acts as:

1. Impartial Monitoring: Rigorous documentation of military activities and incursions.
2. Diplomatic Buffer: The only channel of indirect communication to prevent a large-scale conflict.
3. Support to the Population: Support for social stability in a country already tested by economic and political crises.

A Commitment for the Future

The visit concluded with the reaffirmation of the Italian mandate. The armed forces will continue to operate in southern Lebanon with the aim of ensuring compliance with international commitments.

"Italy will stand by Lebanon today and in the future", concluded Portolano, confirming that, despite the dangers, the presence of the Brigata Sassari remains the last bastion of international legality in a land ravaged by conflict.