Page 11 - Coespu Magazine 2017-2

interaction between military contingents and local population, we can take steps to adapt our actions
and therefore achieve long-lasting success in modern counterinsurgency operations.
As for UNIFIL, I think it is still the feather in the modern UN peacekeeping’s cap and should be a
benchmark for all UN-led peacekeeping operations. Besides Lebanon is still experiencing a tense
period, also due to regional conflicts, UNIFIL can still cope with the changing and unpredictable
situation across its assigned area. This is possible thanks to the wider and more robust mandate
envisaged by Resolution 1701 and the double-hatted role – diplomatic and military – assigned to the
Force Commander/Head of Mission, that makes this latter the only means of communication between
the two parties, through the Tripartite mechanism.
Today, modern peace support operations transcend the traditional peacekeeping and security
operations, to the extent that we speak of “modern hybrid multidimensional peacekeeping”. In Mali,
for instance, three different
operations are run by three
different organizations: UN
are concerned with
peacebuilding and
reconstruction, EU with the
primary task of training local
forces and the French-led
coalition together with the
African Union tasked with
protection and combat
responsibilities. This situation
is going to become the norm
for the years to come in
dealing with stability and
reconstruction.
Italy is for sure a strategic partner for UN, in the framework of peace operations, to the extent that
today our country is the first force provider to UN missions, among the western countries. In
particular, in Lebanon we still contribute with a strength of 1,100 personnel to the United Nation
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Italy also contributes with military personnel to MINUSMA in
Mali, UNFICYP in Cyprus and UNSMIL in Libya.
A part from the support to the UN mission, as I said before, Italy is fully engaged in the international
effort to guarantee peace and security. Starting from the Balkans, Italy has always attached great
importance to the stabilization of the region, given our political tradition, geographical position, and
cultural similarities. The main commitment in the area is our participation in NATO operation “Joint
Enterprise” in Kosovo, under Italian leadership for the fourth consecutive year with 550 personnel.
Italy is also part of the counter-DAESH operation “Inherent Resolve”, with slightly more than 1,400
personnel which today represents our major quantitative effort. In this context, let me mention the
contribution of our Carabinieri, strongly requested by our partners, for their effectiveness in
developing capable local security forces; they are 100 men and women currently deployed in Baghdad
and Kurdistan in support of Iraqi and Kurdish police forces.

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