Rome tells Katz and Bou Habib halt of Mideast 'spiral of violence' possible

Italy's foreign minister told his Israeli and Lebanese counterparts Monday it was "possible to interrupt the spiral of violence" as he reiterated calls for a ceasefire, his office said.

The foreign ministry said Antonio Tajani spoke with both Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Lebanon's Abdallah Bou Habib, two days after a strike killed 12 minors in the annexed Golan Heights.

"It is possible to interrupt the spiral of violence and it must be done now. A new war must absolutely be avoided," Tajani said in a statement released by his office.

To both of his counterparts he "(reiterated) Italy's request for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation throughout the region".

Tajani's appeal joined what Bou Habib described Sunday as diplomatic efforts by the United States, France and other nations to try to contain an anticipated response by Israel to the attack.

"To Minister Katz, I expressed the government’s deep condolences for the vile attack on Majdal Shams, which tragically took the lives of innocent young people," he said.

Israel and the United States have blamed the Saturday rocket attack that killed 12 victims aged 10 to 16 on Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

"To Minister Bou Habib, I confirmed the Italian government’s commitment to the Lebanese institutions, whose stability is key for the entire region," Tajani said.

"We are committed to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), at a bilateral and multilateral level, promoting an international aid program that can allow them to be strengthened and better equipped."

Tajani also called for "respect and protection" for the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, which includes 1,000 Italian soldiers.