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Italy urges more EU attention on sensitive issues in Middle East

Xinhua, December 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Visiting Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi expressed Tuesday grave concern over "the sensitive time that the Middle East region is passing through", calling on Europe to cope with the developments.

Renzi who met with his Lebanese counterpart Tammam Salam underlined in a joint press conference his country's commitment to Lebanon, pointing out that its stability helps stabilize the whole region.

He stressed "Europe should focus more of its attention on the Middle East."

He noted that Italy, of a population of 60 million, is harboring 150,000 refugees, while Lebanon, of a population of four million, has taken in over 1.5 million Syrians.

He credited Lebanon's success in this area to the hospitality of its people and their perseverance.

"We must work on resolving the migrant problem by tackling its cause," stressed Renzi.

For his part, Salam praised the bilateral ties between the two countries, calling on Italy for further cooperation with the Lebanese state in various fields, in particular in its battle against terrorism.

Salam emphasized that "Italy has not spared any effort in helping us in addressing our offshore oil and gas wealth file."

Prior to meeting with Salam, Renzi had paid a visit to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon troops in the South, highlighting the role of the Italian contingent in the peacekeeping mission.

Renzi arrived in Beirut Tuesday for a one-day official visit to meet with senior officials and inspect the conditions of Syrian refugees.

He is expected to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri and other senior officials.

Renzi will also meet with Syrian refugee children at a school in the Mount Lebanon village of Bshamoun.

According to the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees, Lebanon hosts more than 1.1 million Syrians who fled their war-torn country since the uprising against the regime of President Bashar Assad in March 2011. Endit