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Italy’s Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto has marked the arrival of a historic Italian Navy ship in Abu Dhabi, part of a three-year global voyage, with his own visit.
However, his trip to the Middle East carries weightier matters, following a year of conflicts that have devastated several countries while setting the stage to reshape the region forever.
In an exclusive interview with The National in Abu Dhabi, Mr Crosetto outlined his country’s strategies for addressing conflicts across Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen and beyond. He also praised the strong relationship with the UAE, highlighting its vital role in preventing crises and fostering peace.
“The security of this region also determines Italy's security,” he said, after 93-year-old tall ship the Amerigo Vespucci made a splash as it docked at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Mina Zayed, beginning its five-day visit.
Italy’s defence contributions, including peacekeeping missions and training local forces, are highly respected across the Middle East.
In Lebanon, its peacekeepers have faced significant risks during the battles between Israel and Hezbollah before a ceasefire was reached last month. Stationed as part of the UN Interim Force In Lebanon, they were caught in the crossfire of one of the region’s most intense wars.
“We must prevent Lebanon from relapsing into war with Israel,” said the minister. “This is why, along with the United Arab Emirates and other countries, we are trying to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces.”
The agreement that halted the devastating war involves a 60-day truce, during which Hezbollah is supposed to withdraw north of the Litani River and Israeli troops draw down from the south of Lebanon. The truce, based on UN resolution 1701, which brought a war between Hezbollah and Israel to an end in 2006, also requires the Lebanese army to increase its presence in the south.
We will engage in dialogue with this new Syrian government.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto
According to Lebanese officials, there have been more than 300 Israeli violations since the agreement was signed on November 27 – including new deep incursions into different areas of southern Lebanon.
Mr Crosetto said Italy and other countries have been reminding all parties daily that violations must not occur. “But since I remember what was happening just weeks ago, I accept some violations in the hope they become zero. Even a difficult truce is better than the open war we had weeks ago.”
He argued that Unifil peacekeepers need better rules of engagement to implement resolution 1701 and protect the ceasefire.
“We asked the UN a year and a half ago to change Unifil’s rules of engagement because the existing ones did not allow us to implement resolution 1701,” explained Mr Crosetto. “Now, together with Spain, we are strongly advocating for changes to these rules of engagement. Only with a strong Unifil operating alongside robust Lebanese armed forces we can prevent further incursions from Israel. It is not up to us alone, it is up to the UN; the rules must be clearly established.”
To support the Lebanese army in its challenging new mission, there must be training, education, financing, and the provision of necessary materials and equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces. These are “the only ways to give Lebanon lasting stability by building strong, organised and impartial armed forces”.
He also warned that the Lebanese society “has a precarious” balance. “Every element can trigger a civil war, as well as war with Israel. We must prevent this at all costs.”
Dialogue with Syria's government
In neighbouring Syria, the sudden collapse of former president Bashar Al Assad's regime three weeks ago sent shockwaves across Lebanon and the region. The rebels are led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, which is made up mainly of groups from the extremist organisation Jabhat Al Nusra. It broke ties with Al Qaeda in 2016 and rebranded itself, after a purge undertaken by the group's leader Ahmad Al Shara, formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al Jawlani.
The UN, along with countries such as the US, has designated HTS as a terrorist organisation. Despite this, EU, US, and Arab officials have engaged with its new leadership, evaluating their plans and commitments to establish an inclusive regime and ensure the protection of all sects and minorities.
Italy is the only western nation with an embassy in Damascus.
“We will engage in dialogue with this new Syrian government. We hope that their declarations are sincere and that it will be a government that respects cultural and religious differences,” said the Italian minister. “We appreciated their decision not to fight Al Assad’s armed forces but rather to pardon them, demonstrating great humanity. We will judge them based on their actions.”
Stressing the importance of the Turkish role in Syria, he added that Anakara was asked “to help ensure there are no negative effects in neighbouring nations”.
“We do not know what the future holds, but we know that we cannot allow a situation where a state becomes an ISIS state again. We know it cannot become an element that increases conflict in that region of the world. We must also be mindful of the effects this could have on Kurdistan region, Iraq, and Lebanon.”
One of the primary issues in Europe in recent years has been migration, including many people fleeing the civil war in Syria.
Mr Crosetto stated that now it seems there is a reverse trend, with Syrians returning to their home country, adding that this “could be a positive development. Europe is evaluating to reduce sanctions and could make positive moves if this government takes positive steps. We want to extend trust.”
In Yemen, the situation is even more complicated.
Along with Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed groups in Iraq, the Houthi rebels, who have controlled large parts of the war-torn country for years, form part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance”, an anti-Israel political and military coalition in the Middle East, led by Tehran.
They have been targeting ships in the Red Sea, disrupting shipping lanes, and launching missiles at Israel. In response, the US, UK, and Israel have carried out strikes in Yemen, but the rebels have pledged to continue their attacks until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. The EU has also set up a maritime mission to curb their attacks.
Even if the war stops, the Houthis have shown they have become a long-term threat.
I am convinced that Hamas is militarily almost destroyed
Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto
“The international community needs to adopt a stricter approach. If they do not reconsider their position and stop using their location to attack commercial shipping and other countries’ vessels, tougher decisions will need to be made,” argued the minister, without elaborating on what those decisions may be.
He said that in the coming months, “we must explain to Iran that it cannot use terrorist groups in every country to wage war. We must create conditions for co-existence. This issue applies to the Houthis and other groups or nations”. However, for now, “we pursue truces and peace, understanding that permanent resolution is a long-term challenge”.
Ceasefire for Gaza
As the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel holds, despite breaches, and Syria's security situation remains relatively stable, despite clashes between rebels and former regime loyalists, the conflict that ignited regional tensions continues to rage in Gaza.
More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October last year, according to the local health authorities, following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 abducted. Almost 15 months later, Hamas has not been eradicated, dozens of hostages still remain in captivity and efforts towards a ceasefire continue to face significant challenges.
“I am convinced that Hamas is militarily almost destroyed. For months, I have been urging Israel to change its approach to Gaza,” said Mr Crosetto. He added that Italy has been asked, through Italy's gendarmerie – the Carabinieri – to train future Palestinian police forces, and that his country is willing to help in this process.
“I hope there will be some positive news in the coming days, with a potential exchange of prisoners and hostages that could lead to a ceasefire. I work every day to ensure a truce.”
When asked if Italy would participate in a peacekeeping mission in Gaza if proposed, the minister affirmed that “whether in Gaza, Lebanon, or Ukraine, any progress towards peace requires a multinational security force, and Italy is ready to contribute to peace”.
To prevent crises and ensure peace in the Middle East, Mr Crosetto said his country is working closely with the UAE to achieve that goal.
“We are working together to build Lebanese armed forces, a future in Palestine, and security in Syria. There is continuous collaboration in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and elsewhere.”
“We have restored the friendship that has existed between Italy and the Emirates for decades from every perspective, including military co-operation and defence,” he added, as he explained that this relationship “was interrupted under the previous government, but we still remember what the Emirates have done with us for years”.
“The potential enemies of the United Arab Emirates in this area are the same as Italy’s. Therefore, only by working together we can prevent further crises and ensure stability and security.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Europe's top EV producers
- Norway (63% of cars registered in 2021)
- Iceland (33%)
- Netherlands (20%)
- Sweden (19%)
- Austria (14%)
- Germany (14%)
- Denmark (13%)
- Switzerland (13%)
- United Kingdom (12%)
- Luxembourg (10%)
Source: VCOe
RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm)
Burnley v Huddersfield Town (7pm)
Everton v Bournemouth (7pm)
Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
Southampton v Manchester United (7pm)
Stoke City v Chelsea (7pm)
Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
SPECS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
In The Heights
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Stars: Anthony Ramos, Lin-Manual Miranda
Rating: ****
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The five pillars of Islam
Results
2.30pm: Expo 2020 Dubai – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: Barakka, Ray Dawson (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
3.05pm: Now Or Never – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: One Idea, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.40pm: This Is Our Time – Handicap (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Perfect Balance, Tadhg O’Shea, Bhupat Seemar
4.15pm: Visit Expo 2020 – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Kaheall, Richard Mullen, Salem bin Ghadayer
4.50pm: The World In One Place – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1.900m; Winner: Castlebar, Adrie de Vries, Helal Al Alawi
5.25pm: Vision – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Shanty Star, Richard Mullen, Rashed Bouresly
6pm: Al Wasl Plaza – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Jadwal, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Walton Street, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
7.40pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Switzerland, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group 3 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner Lord Giltters, Adrie de Vries, David O’Meara
8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Military Law, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
9.25pm Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Land Of Legends, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
10pm Dubai Dash Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner Equilateral, Frankie Dettori, Charles Hills.
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Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
