Italian PM to Visit Tunisia Next Week, Discuss Illegal Immigration

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (EPA)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (EPA)
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Italian PM to Visit Tunisia Next Week, Discuss Illegal Immigration

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (EPA)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (EPA)

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit Tunisia next week at the invitation of President Kais Saied.

Political observers believe the visit will address several thorny issues between the two nations, including illegal immigration from the shores of Tunisia towards the Italian coasts.

Tunisian presidency announced that Saied discussed the distinguished bilateral relations and the strategic ties between Tunisia and the European Union over the phone with the Prime Minister.

Observers also expect the visit to address Saied's initiative to hold a high-level conference between all countries affected by the migration issue.

The initiative includes countries in North Africa, the Sahel, the Sahara, and the northern shore of the Mediterranean. It aims to tackle the causes of irregular migration and identify appropriate ways to end the resulting humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar hailed Italy's understanding of the need to support the economic recovery ongoing in his country.

Ammar was speaking Friday night during a ceremony marking Italy's National Day at the residence of Italy's ambassador to Tunis.

The top official also thanked Italy for all its efforts to explain Tunisia's viewpoint to other countries regarding negotiations for a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He described Italy's backing of Tunisia on this point as "intelligent and constructive," saying it is a position that reflects Rome's insistence that the IMF finances the Tunisian economy to avoid collapse.

Last May, Meloni called on the International Monetary Fund during the G7 Summit in Japan to adopt a "pragmatic" approach to disburse financing to Tunisia without preconditions.



Israeli Strike Kills 3 Lebanese Soldiers, Army Says

A view of destroyed houses in the southern Lebanese village of Maroun Al-Ras, as seen from Avivim on the Israeli side of the border on 19 November 2024. (EPA)
A view of destroyed houses in the southern Lebanese village of Maroun Al-Ras, as seen from Avivim on the Israeli side of the border on 19 November 2024. (EPA)
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Israeli Strike Kills 3 Lebanese Soldiers, Army Says

A view of destroyed houses in the southern Lebanese village of Maroun Al-Ras, as seen from Avivim on the Israeli side of the border on 19 November 2024. (EPA)
A view of destroyed houses in the southern Lebanese village of Maroun Al-Ras, as seen from Avivim on the Israeli side of the border on 19 November 2024. (EPA)

The Lebanese army said an Israeli airstrike targeted one of its military bases late Tuesday in the southern town of Sarafand, killing three Lebanese soldiers. The Health Ministry said at least 17 people were also wounded, including civilians who lived near the facility.

In total, 41 Lebanese soldiers have been killed amid the war between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Lebanon's army has largely stood on the sidelines during the 13-month conflict, and if a ceasefire is reached, the army could play a key role in securing a UN buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack — the latest in a series of Israeli strikes targeting the Lebanese military. On Sunday, Israel bombed a Lebanese army post in Mari, in Hasbaya province, killing two soldiers and critically injured three others.

In response, the Lebanese government announced on Monday plans to file a formal complaint with the UN Security Council on the “repeated attacks” on the Lebanese army, citing repeated violations of international law.

Before Tuesday's airstrike, Lebanese army spokesperson Col. Fadi Eid told The Associated Press that 38 soldiers have been killed since the current war began last year.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry also said that 28 people were killed Monday, raising the nationwide toll over to at least 3,544 killed and 15,036 wounded.