Italian cabinet approves additional $1 billion for foreign missions

Italian cabinet approves additional $1 billion for foreign missions

2011-07-08 02:48:55 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- The Italian cabinet on Thursday approved a decree to authorize an additional $1 billion (700 million Euros) for foreign military missions including the one in Libya, the ANSA news agency.

The resolution was approved unanimously despite the initial threats of the Northern League, the main coalition partner of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, to block the decree.

In addition, Italy's involvement in the NATO-led operation in Libya was discussed in a special meeting including Berlusconi, Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa, Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Northern League ministers Roberto Maroni and Roberto Calderoli.

However, the approved budget was approximately $287 million (200 million Euros) short from the amount requested. The reduction was authorized after a request by the Northern League.

In this way, about 2,078 Italian soldiers currently deployed in foreign mission will return by the end of the year; 100 of them from Libya as its funding was reduced from $203 million (142 million Euros) to $83 million (58 million Euros).

Currently, Italy has 9,950 military personnel deployed in missions abroad. On the other hand, the cabinet approved an extra $632 million (440 million Euros) to handle the immigration crisis.

In recent months, more than 30,000 asylum seekers have arrived to the southern island of Lampedusa off the coast of Sicily, more than the double of the local population. Refugees fled mostly from Tunisia and Libya.

Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February, while Libyan forces have been accused of violently cracking down on anti-government protesters.

NATO took control of foreign military operations in Libya on March 31 under UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorized member states to take 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians.

Last week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi and two others, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi (his son) and Abdullah Al-Senussi, for crimes against humanity. However, NATO announced that it will not seek the leader's arrest as it is not part of its mandate.

NATO forces have carried out frequent air strikes and imposed a no-fly zone over the North African country. At least 5,000 and as many as 13,000 people are believed to have been killed since the uprising began in February, fueled by successful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

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