Italian PM in Lebanon on Saturday, Expected to Meet Senior Officials

Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti is expected to arrive in Lebanon on Saturday on a one-day official visit, An Nahar newspaper reported.

The daily said that the PM will visit his country’s contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon which is headed by Italian commander Maj. Gen. Paolo Serra.

The UNIFIL command was handed over to Serra in January 2011.

UNIFIL as a whole has around 12,000 soldiers from 35 countries and is led by a large Italian contingent.

Monti will also hold separate meetings with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.

A source told An Nahar that Monti’s meetings will tackle the bilateral ties with Lebanon. He will also voice his support for the country.

The source said that the Lebanese officials will discuss with the Italian PM Israel’s continued occupation of the northern part of the village of Ghajar.

Monti will also address the turmoil in neighboring Syria.