President Sergio Mattarella stressed
that Italy is "inspired by the values of peace" in his message
for the country's day for national unity and the armed forces on
Monday.
"November 4 celebrates National Unity and honours the Armed
Forces, whose achievements helped make Italy an independent,
free nation, inspired by democratic values and peace," the head
of State said.
"It is a date that evokes distant events - wars and bloody
battles that brought devastation and wounds to the society of
the time".
In the message, the president devoted a "a special thought... to
our military deployed in the Middle East where, by mandate of
the United Nations and as part of bilateral missions, they
continue to ensure their contribution to peacekeeping,
alleviating the suffering of defenceless people in a dramatic
humanitarian situation, promoting respect for international
humanitarian law".
Italy has a contingent of around 1,000 troops in the UNIFIL
peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, which has come under fire
recently from Israeli forces fighting Hezbollah.
Mattarella on Monday laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier at Rome's Vittorio Emanuele Monument, otherwise known as
the Altar of the Homeland in a ceremony that Premier Giorgia
Meloni also took part in.
"On the solemn anniversary of the day of national unity and the
armed forces, we pay homage to all those who, with courage and
love of country, sacrificed their lives for a free and united
Italy," Meloni said in a Facebook post.
"We also owe our freedom to them and, in their memory, pushing
our mind's gaze to the painful years they lived though, we guard
and protect the sacred values ;;in which they believed and which
represent our nation.
"Today, like yesterday, we thank the men and women of all the
armed forces who every day act with discipline, loyalty to the
institutions, sacrifice and passion, in carrying out their
assigned tasks, always alongside the citizens, at home and
abroad.
"November 4th is your holiday. Best wishes, long live the armed
forces!".
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