Italian foreign minister: Hizbullah and Hamas must not be sidelined

Italian foreign minister Massimo D’ Alema has said that groups such as Hizbullah and Hamas must be included in the political process in their countries.

In a statement to the Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera”, D’ Alema refused calls that these groups must be sidelined or described as terrorist organizations as the USA and some Europeans do.

D’ Alema did not deny that the two groups had committed “violent acts”, yet he insisted that their political role must be encouraged and supported.

Hizbullah and Hamas must not be considered as Al-Qaida organization, the Italian chief diplomat opined.

In another development 2,500 Italian soldiers were dispatched to south Lebanon Tuesday to participate in the peace keeping forces UNIFEL.