Frattini hopes for direct Lebanon-Israel negotiations after cabinet formation
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini called for the start of direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to demarcate a common border as soon as a national unity government was formed under the leadership of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora.
Upon his arrival in Tel Aviv, Frattini said Italy should intensify its efforts in Beirut in order to strengthen the role of the Lebanese army, “one of the conditions necessary to dismantle armed militias.”