>>>ANSA/G7 sends clear message for de-escalation from Capri

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 19 - The Group of Seven has given a clear message calling for all parties to contribute to a de-escalation in the Middle East, Italian Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Friday at the end of a meeting of G7 foreign ministers on Capri.
    "This morning we decided to tackle the Iran issue immediately," Tajani, who chaired the meeting as Italy holds the G7 duty presidency, told a news conference after overnight attacks on Iran attributed to Israel.
    "I wanted there to be a clear message from the G7.
    "The political objective is called de-escalation.
    "We call on all parties to make a positive contribution.
    "We condemned the recent attack by Iran and the G7 supports the security of Israel, but we call on all parties to work to avoid escalation and the G7 will work for this result". The G7 is ready to impose new sanctions on Iran after its attack on Israel last weekend, the final communiqué of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting said.
    "We demand that Iran and its affiliated groups cease their attacks," it said.
    "We will hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilizing actions and we stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives.
    "Iran's actions mark an unacceptable step towards the destabilization of the region and a further escalation, which must be avoided.
    "In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. "The G7 will continue to work to this end.
    "We call on all parties, both in the region and beyond, to offer their positive contribution to this collective effort.
    "We call on Iran to refrain from providing support to Hamas and taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including support for Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors".
    The G7 also said that it was opposed to Israel staging an attack on Rafah, in the south of Gaza, where around one million Palestinians have taken refuge since the start of the conflict sparked by Hamas's horrific October 7 attacks.
    "We reiterate our opposition to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population," it said.
    "We reiterate our call for a credible and actionable plan to protect the civilian population there and address their humanitarian needs.
    "We are deeply concerned by the internal displacement within Gaza and the risk of forcible displacement from Gaza. Israel must act in compliance with its obligations under international law and treat individuals humanely and with dignity, and should thoroughly and transparently investigate credible allegations of wrongdoing and ensure accountability for any abuses or violations".
    United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the role Italy is playing in efforts to stop the conflict in the Middle East spiraling out of control.
    "Italy is playing a crucial role for de-escalation in the Middle East," Blinken told a press conference.
    "It is a leading country that is engaged with many other countries in the world that have direct relations with the Middle East.
    "And it also has direct relations of its own.
    "And we have seen how important this engagement has been over the last 10 days, two weeks, to keep things calm and avoid escalation and a wider conflict" (ANSA).