Rome – Italy will assign an extra 2,900 troops to security and anti-terrorism duties as it prepares to host the 43rd G7 summit on May 26 and May 27, in Taormina, Sicily, Italy.
The government said on Friday after a cabinet meeting that military personnel tasked with those responsibilities will increase from 7,050 to 9,950 units.
The decision implies no expansion in the total size of Italy’s armed forces, but just their redeployment towards G7-related priorities.
The group, representing the world’s leading industrialised nations, includes the U.S., Canada, Britain, Germany, France and Japan, as well as host nation Italy.
The meeting will be part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s maiden trip to Europe.
He is also expected to take part in a NATO summit in Brussels.