ROME, April 14 - Italy's government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of a defence cooperation deal with Israel, said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, citing the conflicts in the Middle East.
Her right-wing government has been one of Israel's closest allies in Europe, but in recent weeks, it has criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Those affected have included Italian troops serving there under a United Nations mandate.
"In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," Meloni was quoted as saying in Verona, northern Italy, on Tuesday, by Italian news agencies.
A Defence Ministry source said one consequence is that Italy will no longer cooperate with Israel on military training.
Speaking anonymously, it added that the Prime Minister took the decision on Monday with her Foreign and Defence Ministers, Antonio Tajani and Guido Crosetto, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
A spokesman for Israel's Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.