Libya: the Chief of Defense "surprised by journalistic reconstructions" that mount a war

(To David Bartoccini)
05/03/16

The fervor with which Italian journalists are describing the Italian contingent that would be in a state of mobilization to be sent to Libya: the largest since the end of the Second World War, it has surprised not a little the Chief of the Defense Staff.

General Graziano declared himself "absolutely surprised by the journalistic reconstructions that continue to rage."

Some newspapers have reported the mobilization of a terrestrial command at Division level with at least 5.000 men engaged in the operation, 'hunting' for aerial reconnaissance ready starting from the base of Trapani (where the 37 ° and the 51 ° Stormo are lined up) , and an effective of 2.500 soldiers belonging to the paratroopers divisions 'Folgore', fusiliers of Marina 'San Marco' and raiders belonging to Comsubin ready to put 'boots on the ground'. In support of this contingent, our aircraft carrier "Cavour" and other Navy ships already operating in the Mediterranean in the missions "Eunavfor Med" and "Mare Sicuro". The operation would be carried out together with countless allies belonging to Great Britain, France and Germany.

To date the only Italian forces employed in Libya would be quantifiable in a detachment of 50 units of the 9 ° parachute raid regiment "Col Moschin" in close collaboration with the secret services of Aise.

What could lead to the hypothesis of a military escalation in Libya has been branded as an instrumental journalistic acceleration raised lightly.

The head of SMD added that "we cannot be light when it comes to matters so serious for the security of the country and our military". We cannot but join this thought: war is not a game or a journalistic gimmick.