Lebanese Armed Forces chief meets with Italian officials in Rome ‘I confirmed how strong the bond of friendship between Lebanon and Italy is,’ defense minister tells Arab News Rome, ITALY: Rome will maintain its commitments within the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini told Gen. Joseph Aoun, commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces. “I expressed to Gen. Aoun the proximity of Italy in the difficult moment that Lebanon is going through,” Guerini told Arab News after the meeting in Rome, which was also attended by Italy’s Chief of Joint Staff Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. “I confirmed how strong the bond of friendship between Lebanon and Italy is. Our relationship is historical, and it’s founded on our common Mediterranean identity,” Guerini said, adding that Rome will continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces. Aoun’s visit to Rome is part of the Lebanese government’s efforts to raise political and financial support to cope with the country’s economic collapse. According to the UN, more than 80 percent of Lebanon’s population live in a state of poverty. In the past three years, its currency has lost more than 95 percent of its value.