Date: Mar 15, 2018 Source: The Daily Star Rome II a political message of support for Lebanon: envoy Joseph Haboush| The Daily Star BAABDA, Lebanon: The major international conference opening in Rome Thursday will be a chance for the international community to back a long-standing framework of support for Lebanon, Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Massimo Marotti told The Daily Star. “This is not a donor conference or a pledging conference, rather it is a political message in and of itself, to support state institutions,” Marotti told The Daily Star ahead of the meeting in the Italian capital. The ambassador added that the meet would be different from a similar one held in 2014. At the time, Lebanon was suffering from a presidential vacuum that paralyzed the country’s economy and politics, even as it struggled to fend off terrorist groups along its northeastern border with Syria. This time around, the Army is standing tall after clearing terrorist organizations Daesh (ISIS) and Jabhat Fatah al-Sham – previously known as the Nusra Front – from Lebanon’s frontier. At the same time, the ISF has increased competency and foiled several high-profile terrorist plots originating inside and outside the country in recent months. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to open the conference, alongside premier Saad Hariri and his Italian counterpart. The list of foreign countries attending, other than the International Support Group for Lebanon member states, whose presence is confirmed, will be announced on the day. The United States will be represented by acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Satterfield, while France’s foreign minister is expected to attend. “European countries not in the ISG and Gulf countries have been invited, as well as countries Lebanon considers partners, but we will wait to see who attends,” Marotti said. After a few strained years between Lebanon and Gulf states, ties have seemingly been patched up. Members of the GCC have again expressed a positive attitude toward Lebanon and will attend the conference. Also unlike 2014, this year’s conference will look to support the Internal Security Forces. Both the Army and the ISF have prepared long-term plans that they seek help implementing from participating nations. “The plans of the Army and the ISF aim at strengthening their forces and implementing their vision,” the Italian diplomat said. But he admitted that resources are needed “to fulfill the plan for the next five years.” Among the requests included in the frameworks are training programs, weapons and logistical support. “The performance by the Army recently has been excellent. Lebanon is the only country in the world to have fought [Daesh] with no air support,” Marotti said. “As long as the state security forces are the sole defender of the country and remain committed to doing so, the plan will continue gathering support,” he added. From Thursday, Lebanon could see the beginning of new partnerships with other nations. Traditional partners will continue standing by the country as well. Last week, France announced a $17 million aid package to the Army and more aid could be pledged. U.K. Ambassador Hugo Shorter told The Daily Star this week that Britain was preparing an eight-figure assistance package. “Some countries could announce aid at the conference, while most decisions look like they’ll come after the meetings between Lebanese officials and the supporting nations,” Marotti said. The Italian ambassador was quick to reiterate that the conference was a message of the political will to assist Lebanon. Asked about a previous multibillion-dollar grant from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon that was halted after political differences arose between the two nations in 2016, Marotti said that resolving this issue “is not one of the objectives of the conference.” Other than the Army and ISF, Lebanon’s two other major security agencies – State Security and General Security – are also likely to be represented and support discussed. As for the relationship between the Italian UNIFILa contingent and the Army, Marotti assured The Daily Star that “the relationship between the two is very strong.” A new contingent strictly focusing on implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 will be among the plans for the Army in Rome. “The proposed idea is to establish a new unit in the area of operation to fulfill 1701 and we, like other nations, are ready to help,” Marotti said. This comes after discussions were held between the Army and UNIFIL on the means to fully implement obligations under 1701. A platform for invited nations to support the two state institutions could be set up in Rome II, allowing countries to choose areas and sectors they might want to support going forward. “Some contributions might be announced in Rome and others later on,” Marotti stressed. “The results of this conference will come through interaction between Lebanon and the participating countries, and March 15 will set in motion a process for the years to come.”