Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk said that the Rome II Conference for the Support of Lebanese Army and Security Forces would be held on March 15 in Italy. Following a meeting on Monday at the Grand Serail, in the presence of Italian Ambassador to Lebanon Massimo Marotti as well as senior politicians, security officials and diplomats, Machnouk affirmed that the conference, which aims to rally support for the Lebanese Army and security forces, would be held in mid-March. “The conference is a historic opportunity to establish practical rules for security in Lebanon, from which we will get our military needs for a secure future not only for Lebanon but for the whole world,” Machnouk said. The Interior Minister denied reports about the refusal of some Arab countries to participate in the conference. He noted in this regard that some countries did not confirm their participation immediately, but no Arab country has refused to join. “Setting March 15 as the date affirms that there is a positive atmosphere regarding the attendance of all countries that are being reported as not attending,” he said. Monday’s preparatory meeting was held at the Grand Serail at the invitation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and under the auspices of the International Support Group for Lebanon, with the participation of Machnouk, Defense Minister Yaacoub Sarraf, ambassadors and representatives of the League of Arab States, the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, and a number of Arab and European countries. The Rome II conference is one of three donor conferences to rally international community’s support for Lebanon and its economy. A similar conference was held in Rome in 2014 and was attended by representatives of 43 countries as well as international and regional organizations.