Italy stresses political solution for Syrian crisis

BEIRUT (Xinhua) - Visiting Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini said here on Saturday that the only way to end the crisis in Syria is to find a political solution calling for a re-launch of the Geneva conference in the coming few weeks.

Mogherni made these remarks at a joint press conference with her Lebanese counterpart Gebran Bassil, adding that their previous discussions focused on the need to work on three levels to solve the crisis, "starting with eliminating the regime's chemical weapons, then addressing the humanitarian aid and launching the political solution which is a must."

She also pointed out the Italian efforts in supporting the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, revealing that Italy has donated so far 150 million euros for this purpose.

For his part, Bassil stressed the importance of finding a political solution for the Syrian crisis, adding that Lebanon is directly affected by the spillover of the crisis in Syria "due to the influx of more than one million refugees."

On the domestic level, Mogherni stressed that the Lebanese army "should be offered all the necessary support to maintain stability in Lebanon."

Italy previously announced that the International Support Group for Lebanon will hold a meeting in Rome in June to boost the Lebanese Armed Forces' capabilities and ease the Syrian refugees crisis.

Mogherini arrived in Beirut on Friday night for a two-day visit to discuss with senior Lebanese officials the ongoing preparations for the Rome conference.