Italian Navy's hydro-oceanographic ship arrives at Beirut Port

The Italian Navy's hydro-oceanographic ship "Admiral Magnaghi" has arrived at Beirut Port for a 40-day extensive training program with Lebanon's Navy, the Italian embassy said Tuesday.

"Maritime security, passive defense and communications are at the core of the new 6-week program that the Italian Military Mission in Lebanon will initiate in the next days to strengthen the capacities of Lebanon's Navy," Italian Ambassador Massimo Marotti said in a statement quoted by the National News Agency.

In 2016, the Italian Navy donated a high-tech hydrographic unit, worth 2 million euros (2.33 U.S. dollars), to the Lebanese Navy, together with a training program for Lebanese officers at the Hydrographic Institute of the Italian Navy.

"Independent hydrographic capability is key for effective armed forces and the protection of maritime activities," said the statement.

After the Rome Conference held on March 15 to strengthen Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces, Italy has increased its commitment to support the LAF, including the Navy, it added.