Condemns Iran's Attack On Israel, G7 Leaders Push Middle East Crisis Diplomatic Solutions

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni/PHOTO via personal Instagram

JAKARTA - The leaders of the G7 countries expressed deep concern over the crisis in the Middle East. The G7 says a diplomatic solution can still be done.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosted a teleconference meeting of leaders a day after Israel was attacked by Iran.

The Italian government's statement said G7 leaders condemned Tehran's attack, the biggest attack ever carried out on Israel and agreed to work together to encourage a reduction in regional tensions.

The statement refers to the implementation of UN resolutions in 2735 in favor of a three-phase plan for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages detained by Hamas and 1701, which halted the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war in southern Lebanon.

"Declaring concern over the escalation that has occurred in recent hours, reiterates that conflicts across the region are not in anyone's interest and diplomatic solutions are still possible," he added.

Apart from Italy, the G7 also includes the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, and Japan.

The teleconference call came after Meloni asked the UN Security Council to consider strengthening the mandate of UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in Lebanon to ensure security of the Israel-Lebanon border.

Italy has donated more than 1,000 troops for the mission.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has denied Italian media reports that the government is considering withdrawing its troops from the region for security reasons.

"We have assessed all possibilities... There is no decision to withdraw the Italian troop contingent from UNIFIL," he said.

But he said it would be stupid not to prepare an evacuation plan if the situation worsened.