SIDON, Lebanon: The Italian contingent of the U.N. peacekeeping force in south Lebanon is teaching the Italian language to Lebanese soldiers.

A statement issued Tuesday by the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon said the Italian contingent was offering Italian language courses to a number of Lebanese officers.

It said the initiative stems from the spirit of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which underlines UNIFIL’s role in boosting the presence of the army in south Lebanon and expanding the state’s authority throughout the country.

The statement said the program was also part of the Italian peacekeeping force’s support for the Lebanese Army in their area of operations as well as part of the coordination and cooperation between UNIFIL and the Army in order to maintain security and stability in the region.

Students were divided into two classes, the statement said, with each group receiving four tutoring sessions per week by language experts. The courses end in May.

The classes, taking place at the headquarters of the Italian peacekeepers in Shamaa, in the Tyre region, are being supervised by Italian officers.