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Lavrov sends condolences over killing of Italian ambassador to DR Congo

Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca Attanasio was mortally wounded in the area of Goma in the province of North Kivu while traveling in a convoy of a UN stabilization mission in Congo

MOSCOW, February 25. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sent condolences to his Italian colleague Luigi di Maio over the killing of Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca Attanasio.

"Due to the tragedy, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent a message of condolences and words of support to Italian Foreign Minister Luigi di Maio. We mourn together with the friendly nation of Italy during this difficult time," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry stressed that this killing had once again highlighted the numerous security problems in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with eastern and northeastern provinces, where over 150 illegal armed formations are active, considered the most unstable. "Peaceful Congolese citizens become their victims, first and foremost," the document reads.

"We think that the tragedy that took place on February 22 once again stresses the need for approving additional effective measures aimed to ensure security in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in the region of the Great Lakes and to improve humanitarian and social-economic situation in the country," the ministry concluded.

Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo Luca Attanasio was mortally wounded in the area of Goma in the province of North Kivu while traveling in a convoy of a UN stabilization mission in Congo. He died later at the hospital of the UN mission. Attanasio was appointed Italy’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo in October 2019. The embassy’s security officer and the driver were also killed in the attack.

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