Italy: Keen on supporting Lebanon's army

Italy will host an international conference to support the Lebanese Army next year, Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta said Saturday, adding that his country will increase funds to help Syrian refugees in host countries especially in Lebanon. This came during a joint news conference with President Michel Suleiman who expressed his appreciation for Italy over its decision to hold the international conference to support the Army. A presidential statement said Letta and Suleiman stressed the importance of supporting Lebanons security agencies given that the agencies "represent the country's unity par excellence and is tasked with preserving security." The two men also affirmed the need for the international community to share such a burden with Lebanon. They also affirmed the need for a continued international support for Lebanon to strengthen stability, support the economy and the armed forces and help the country address the refugee crisis, according to the statement.