The handover of equipment for civil protection and mountain rescue services, which came as a donation by Austria and France, took place today in Sarajevo.

This is a donation of technical and medical equipment worth 20,000 euros, which was procured within the TAIEX project "Strengthening the capacity of mountain rescue services in B&amp;H".
Ambassador of Austria to B&amp;H, Ulrike Hartmann, stated that as part of the project, experts will be hired to conduct the so-called "coach training".
She added that Austrian experts will spend seven days in B&amp;H, after which B&amp;H staff will spend one week in training in France.
Ambassador of France to B&amp;H, Christine Toudic, pointed out that she was pleased that her country, together with Austria, was participating in a project that should be very useful to B&amp;H mountain rescue services.
She stated that both countries are mountainous in their nature and that they have perhaps the best experts in that field.
Minister of Security of B&amp;H, Selmo Cikotić, thanked for the valuable donation that will the rescue services in B&amp;H will use in the best possible way.
The equipment was handed over to the B&amp;H Border Police, the FB&amp;H Civil Protection Administration, the RS Civil Protection Administration, the B&amp;H Mountain Rescue Service, and the Brčko District Public Safety Department.
&nbsp;

This  donation of technical and medical equipment is worth 20,000 euros

The equipment was handed over to the B&H Border Police, the FB&H Civil Protection Administration, the RS Civil Protection Administration, the B&H Mountain Rescue Service, and the Brčko District Public Safety Department

Austria and France donate equipment for rescue services in B&H

Swedish Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Johanna Strömquist visited today the Sarajevo Canton Prime Minister Edin Forto, with whom she discussed environmental protection, energy efficiency and the fight against corruption.

They placed special emphasis on Green Economic Development (GED) which the Government of Sweden will continue to fund in B&amp;H.
Ambassador Strömquist informed the cantonal Prime Minister that at the end of autumn she will present a study that will contain all relevant data on the basis of which it will be possible to assess air quality in the canton, and how harmful pollution is to human health. This study was done by experts from Sweden.
She pointed out that it is in their interest to work together in the canton, as a local partner in the public sector, and with civil society organizations in all these areas, in order to create positive changes that will benefit citizens.
Prime Minister Forto emphasized that the Embassy of Sweden has always assisted the Sarajevo Canton in resolving many issues, especially when it comes to continuous air quality monitoring.
-Sweden struggled with this problem in the past that we have today, and it has succeeded in that thanks to renewable energy sources and energy savings- the Prime Minister said.

They placed special emphasis on Green Economic Development (GED) which the Government of Sweden will continue to fund in B&H

Forto - Strömquist: Presentation of a study for air quality assessment in SC

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC B&amp;H) has scheduled an extraordinary session for Wednesday, February 24th, that will focus on the appointment of judicial office holders.

Among other things, it is planned to determine the proposal of candidates for the Constitutional Court of the Federation of B&amp;H, announced the HJPC B&amp;H.
According to the proposed agenda, Members of the HJPC B&amp;H should also decide on the membership in the working bodies of this institution, as well as the election of the Council members to strategically oversee the Project of Improving the Efficiency of Courts and Accountability of Judges and Prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina - third phase (ICEA III).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the proposed agenda, they should also decide on the membership in the working bodies of this institution

The meeting of HJPC B&H will be held tomorrow

HJPC tomorrow to determine candidates for judges of FB&H Constitutional Court

In the past 24 hours 2,982 samples were registered with the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H, of which 314 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.

New cases have been registered in all cantons in the Federation of B&amp;H, except in Posavina.
A total of 441,181 samples have been tested so far, and SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed in 83,441 individuals.
As of today, 76,079 patients have been cured in the Federation of B&amp;H. In the past 24 hours, 283 patients have recovered. Currently, 4,724 cases positive for SARS-CoV-2 are active.
In the past 24 hours, seven new deaths were reported to the FB&amp;H Public Health Institute.
As of today, the number of deaths in the Federation of B&amp;H is 2,638, the Public Health Institute of the Federation of B&amp;H announced.
In Republic of Srpska, 870 laboratory samples were tested in the last 24 hours, and coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed in 186 people.
In the last 24 hours, ten deaths were reported to the RS Institute of Public Health, in which the presence of the coronavirus was confirmed.
So far, 42,426 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the RS, and a total of 2,222 people have died in whom the coronavirus test has been confirmed.
In the RS, 34,624 people have recovered from coronavirus, and a total of 197,233 people have been tested.
Brčko District registers 15 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours. Eleven persons have recovered in the last 24 hours.

In Republic of Srpska, 870 laboratory samples were tested and coronavirus  was confirmed in 186 people

New cases have been registered in all cantons in the Federation of B&H, except in Posavina

COVID-19 confirmed in 515 people in B&H, with 17 deaths in the last 24 hours

The director of the Intelligence and Security Agency (ISA), Osman Mehmedagić Osmica, has not had his security license for accessing classified information extended, which expired on February 18th, it was confirmed for "Avaz" today.
The information that Mehmedagić's security license has not been extended, was officially confirmed for "Avaz" from the Ministry of Security of B&amp;H, which is also responsible for issuing the security license.
It is a license that was issued to the director of ISA five years ago and in order to obtain a new one, he had to apply for an extension of the security license.

- The permission for access to classified information to the director of the Intelligence and Security Agency of B&amp;H, Mr. Mehmedagić Osman,has not been extended by the Ministry of Security of B&amp;H - it is stated in the answer from this state institution.
Given the trial in the Court of B&amp;H, where he was tried on the indictment of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH for abuse of office, it was difficult to expect that the leaders of the Ministry of Security would act upon the request for extension. If it was eventually extended, everyone would participate in illegal actions and obvious abuses of position.
Especially since the Law on Protection of Classified Information of B&amp;H is clear. According to Article 59 of the Law, which deals with security obstacles related to the issuance of a permit for access to classified information, one of the obstacles is "ongoing proceedings for a criminal offense for which imprisonment sentences of at least three months may be imposed."
In addition, the Prosecution of Bosnia and Herzegovina filed a new indictment against Mehmedagić last week, in the "Security Check" affair, and the head of the secret service never, although he had to, asked the Prosecution for information on whether any criminal investigation was being conducted against him.
We remind you that in November last year, a procedure was initiated to deprive Mehmedagić of the right to access classified information.
This procedure was initiated by Zoran Tegeltija, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of B&amp;H and Head of the Reporting and Intelligence Body, which supervises the work of the ISA. He informed the Ministry of Security that it was necessary to initiate an additional security check procedure for ISA General Director Osman Mehmedagić, due to "suspicion of a security breach." This procedure was never completed.

<h2>What is written in Article 61 of the Law on Protection of Classified Information of B&H</h2>

However, the law is clear.
Article 61 of the Law on Protection of Classified Information of B&amp;H states that "when a person who has the right to access classified information has his license revoked, it is declared redundant when the decision becomes final."
The same article further states that "a redundant person is assigned to vacant positions in the same or another institution, and in case of impossibility of assignment, due to the lack of similar jobs, that person's employment is terminated with severance pay determined by law."
Mehmedagić has the right to appeal to the Commission for deciding on appeals of security permits, in which he placed his people, and they are under investigation in the "Security Checks" affair.
The accused Muriz Druškić is also in question, as well as a member of the commission, Ismail Sarić, who was appointed to this function without official proposal.

It is a license that expired on February 18th and had a validity period for five years. The question is how he will manage ISA now

Osman Mehmedagić: How will he manage ISA now

ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić's security licence for accessing classified information has not been extended

NATO’s annual advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare exercise began on Monday.

The Dynamic Manta 2021 will continue through March 5 off Italy's Sicily Island, the alliance’s Maritime Command said in a statement.
-Submarines from Greece, Italy, Turkey and the United States under NATO Submarine Command are joining surface ships from France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Turkey.--This year, French Carrier Strike Group Charles De Gaulle will also join the training along with five surface units from France, Belgium, Greece and the United States- the command said.
It said that the aim of the drill is to provide complex and challenging warfare training to the participants to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills.
The command said that eight NATO allies are taking part in the exercise, including Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the US.

The aim of the drill is to provide complex and challenging warfare training to the participants to enhance their interoperability and proficiency in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare skills

Annual NATO Dynamic Manta, advanced anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare exercise to run through March 5

Annual NATO drill gets underway in Italy

Afghanistan began its first COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday, administering doses initially to security force members, health workers and journalists, in a campaign that may face challenges from a sharp rise in violence.The war-damaged country received 500,000 doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine from the Serum Institute of India (SII), which is producing the vaccine for mid- and low-income countries, earlier this month.
In a ceremony at the presidential palace, acting health minister Waheed Majroh said the vaccines would be provided to 250,000 people, mostly from the security, health, education and media sectors.
-Today is a fortunate day for Afghanistan as we launch the first vaccination drive, but it would be a challenge to roll the plan to the whole country- Majroh said.
Taliban insurgents fighting the foreign-backed Afghan government have announced their backing for the vaccination campaign.
However, the inoculations will take place amid relentless violence despite the government and the Taliban insurgents opening peace talks in September. The discussions have produced no progress to date.

A report by the United nations released on Tuesday said civilian casualties escalated sharply after peace talks begin last year and it called for a ceasefire.

Afghan health officials have said that the international COVAX programme, which is aimed at improving access to the COVID-19 vaccine for developing countries, would provide vaccines to cover 20% of the country’s 38 million population.
President Ashraf Ghani, one of several Afghan leaders who witnessed the first injections, said the pandemic is still a serious problem for the country and called on health workers to vaccinate people in a fair and transparent manner.
He added efforts are under way to cover 40% of the population in a second round.
Afghanistan has registered 55,646 infections and 2,435 deaths. But experts say cases are significantly under-reported due to low testing and limited access to medical facilities in the war-torn country.

Afghanistan has registered 55,646 infections and 2,435 deaths

Members of Afghan security forces receive the first dose of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine from India, during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan February 23, 2021.

Afghanistan begins COVID-19 vaccination drive amid rising violence

Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Saša Magazinović sent an open letter to B&amp;H Council of Ministers Chairman Zoran Tegeltija urging him to initiate the procedure of amending certain laws regarding the procurement of vaccines as soon as possible.

Magazinović reminded Tegeltija that on January 21st, together with the two entity prime ministers, he promised to start the direct purchase of vaccines from the producers.
-Then you knew, as well as today, that our laws do not allow it and that vaccines can only be bought through intermediaries, who of course make a profit. You knew then, and yet you promised. You have not done anything to change that, although you knew that for direct procurement it is necessary to change the Law on Public Procurement and the Law on Medicines and Medical Devices- stated Magazinović in the letter.
That work, as he adds, can be completed in one day of the session of the houses of the state parliament, and Tegeltija's associates do not need more than a couple of hours to prepare the changes.
He called on Tegeltija to urgently change the laws, to negotiate with producers, to protect budget funds and to be at service to all levels of government, or to explain what his agenda is.

Magazinović reminded him that on January 21st, together with the two entity prime ministers, he promised to start the direct purchase of vaccines from the producers

Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Saša Magazinović

Magazinović to Tegeltija: What you are doing is dangerous for B&H citizens

While the Office of the Disciplinary Prosecutor of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&amp;H is still conducting a disciplinary investigation against Ranko Debevec the President of the Court of B&amp;H for abuse of office and authority, new illegalities that were concealed by the first man of the B&amp;H judiciary are coming to light.
Apart from undeclared property in Spain and dual citizenship, which no one knew about for years, the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H sent all documentation to the Office of the Disciplinary Prosecutor, which reveals how Debevec obtained Spanish citizenship.

Firts of all, it is disputable that B&amp;H has not signed an agreement on dual citizenship with the Kingdom of Spain, which means that Debevec cannot even have dual citizenship of B&amp;H and Spain.
Namely, while checking the allegations from the criminal report against Debevac, which was submitted to the Prosecutor's Office in the middle of last year, the prosecutors found out that the President of the Court of B&amp;H renounced the citizenship he had for the purpose of obtaining the citizenship of the Kingdom of Spain.

The Prosecution, as a witness, examined Merima Šenderović, the Head of the Citizenship Department of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who stated, among other things, that B&amp;H has signed dual citizenship agreements with the Republic of Croatia, Serbia and Sweden and that the Law on Citizenship B&amp;H stipulates that B&amp;H citizens can have dual citizenship only if a bilateral agreement has been signed between B&amp;H and another state.
- B&amp;H has not signed an agreement on dual citizenship with the Kingdom of Spain, which Ranko Debevec knew or had to know when applying for Spanish citizenship - it is stated in the documentation of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H.

The information forwarded to the Office of the Disciplinary Prosecutor mentions the possibility that Debevec renounced "Yugoslav citizenship", which he could not have at that time (this is indicated by the data from the Official Gazette of the Kingdom of Spain No. 95), and in this case gave false information to the authorities of the Kingdom of Spain.
- It is possible that he renounced the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that, in this case, he gave false information to the competent authorities of the Kingdom of Spain. And there is a possibility that he renounced some other, unknown citizenship that he had at that moment - the prosecutors stated.

According to all evidence and applicable laws in B&amp;H and Spain, Debevec could not be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Kingdom of Spain at the same time.
Article 4 of the Law on Citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina clearly states: “B&amp;H citizens may have the citizenship of another state, provided that there is a bilateral agreement between B&amp;H and that state regulating the issue, approved by the Parliamentary Assembly in accordance with Article IV (4) (d) of the Constitution of B&amp;H ”.

<h2>Why he did not report dual citizenship</h2>

Debevec had to report dual citizenship during the appointment procedure, first for a judge and later for the President of the Court of B&amp;H, which was determined by the checks of the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H.

B&H has not signed an agreement on dual citizenship with Spain, and as witnesses confirmed he gave false information to the competent authorities of the Kingdom of Spain

"Kaveson" affair: What documents of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H, whose citizenship was renounced by Ranko Debevec, reveal

Based on the submission of the representatives of the victims and the Association of Justice for David, the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H immediately sent a request for inspection of cases related to the death of David Dragičević in March 2018 in Banja Luka.

The request was sent to the Banja Luka District Prosecutor's Office and the Republic of Srpska Special Prosecutor's Office.
- After submitting and analyzing the case, the Prosecutor's Office will make a decision on further steps and activities - the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H announced.

The request was sent to the Banja Luka District Prosecutor's Office and the Republic of Srpska Special Prosecutor's Office

David Dragičević: His case is requested

The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested the delivery of cases related to David Dragičević

Head of the European Union Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Johann Sattler, said today in Banja Luka that Bosnia and Herzegovina should strive to reduce the presence of the international community, assessing that the current presence is not compatible with EU membership.

Sattler attended the meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is being held in the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, hosted today by the Committee for European Integration and Regional Cooperation of the RS National Assembly. 
Speaking about the proposal of the candidacy for the new High Representative in B&amp;H, which was presented by Germany, Sattler says that it is a positive signal and welcomed the indication of strong engagement of Germany, as the strongest country in the European Union.
-In the medium and long term, such a volume of the international community's presence in B&amp;H is incompatible with EU membership. We are in some phases where we should strive to gradually reduce such a presence- Sattler believes.
He reminded that lately there has been an increasing support of B&amp;H citizens for the EU integration process and it amounts to 80 percent. Although the percentage is lower in Republic of Srpska, the situation is much better compared to the region.
-Statistics are an indicator that the EU is your most loyal partner, and this has been shown in the coronavirus pandemic- he stressed, adding that 2020 showed that steps forward are possible, and that some issues have been resolved, such as the elections in Mostar, therefore 2021 should be a year of opportunity.
He says that a more significant focus on B&amp;H from the EU and the United States is noticeable, and it is necessary to use the opportunities brought by the non-election year in B&amp;H.
-There are 14 key priorities of the European Commission that underline what needs to be done, what reforms to implement. There are difficult issues that will not be resolved overnight, but we expect stronger engagement of parties and elected officials and representatives of civil society in order to meet the expectations of 80 percent of citizens- concluded Sattler.
Igor Crnadak, a member of the Party of Democratic Progress (PDP) in the RS National Assembly, said that this meeting is coming at the right time because it is obvious that BiH's European path has been stalled.
-We are in a situation where not so many things are politically functioning and that is why it is a difficult job for everyone who has obligations in the process of European integration in B&amp;H. That is why it is important to send the message that B&amp;H wants and must meet the conditions and continue on the European path, and any circumvention of tasks or 'entering the side door' is not good for B&amp;H- said Crnadak.

He attended the meeting of the Parliamentary Forum for European Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sattler: In the medium and long term, such a volume of the international community's presence in B&H is incompatible with EU membership

Sattler: Gradually reduce presence of the international community in B&H

The UN chief on Monday called on Myanmar's military junta to respect the people's will expressed in recent elections.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was speaking at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council.
Noting the undermining of democracy with "brutal force" in Myanmar, Guterres said: "[There are] serious violations against minorities with no accountability, including what has rightly been called ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya population."
The Human Rights Council session began on Monday, with a busy agenda with several national leaders and dignitaries expected to speak, including Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
The session includes discussion on countries' human rights records, with the US participating as an observer for the first time since former President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the body in 2018.
-Today, I call on the Myanmar military to stop the repression immediately. Release the prisoners. End the violence. Respect human rights and the will of the people expressed in recent elections- Guterres said.
The UN chief said he welcomed the Human Rights Council's resolution of Feb. 12, expressing its support to the people of Myanmar "in their pursuit of democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law."
He said that stoking the fires of racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim bigotry, violence against some minority Christian communities, homophobia, xenophobia, and misogyny "is nothing new."
Today, he said, extremist movements represent the number one internal security threat in several countries.
-Individuals and groups are engaged in a feeding frenzy of hate — fundraising, recruiting and communicating online both at home and overseas, traveling internationally to train together and network their hateful ideologies- said Guterres.
-Far too often, these hate groups are cheered on by people in positions of responsibility in ways that were considered unimaginable not long ago- he added.
The UN secretary general said the COVID-19 infodemic has “raised alarms more generally about the growing reach of digital platforms and the use and abuse of data.”
-We don't know how this information has been collected, by whom, or for what purposes. Governments can exploit that data to control the behavior of their own citizens, violating the human rights of individuals or groups- Guterres said.
-All of this is not science fiction or a forecast of a 22nd-century dystopia. It is here and now. And it requires a serious discussion- he added.

Antonio Guterres also talked about ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in Myanmar

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was speaking at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council

UN chief urges Myanmar to respect people's will

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&amp;H PA) Denis Zvizdić received today in a farewell visit the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to B&amp;H Haldun Koҫ.

Zvizdić and Koҫ discussed the current political situation in B&amp;H, the process of EU and NATO integrations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the further improvement of good relations between the two countries.
They agreed that there is significant room for improving foreign trade exchange, cooperation in the fields of agriculture, wood industry, hydropower, as well as for strengthening exchange in the fields of education, science, culture and sports.
Zvizdić thanked Ambassador Koҫ for everything he has done for Bosnia and Herzegovina during his mandate, together with the authorities and the people of friendly Turkey, and pointed out that many significant activities have been carried out during this period, which resulted in improving relations between the two countries.
Zvizdić wished Koҫ success in the continuation of his diplomatic career.

They discussed the current political situation in B&H, the process of EU and NATO integrations and the further improvement of good relations between the two countries

Zvizdić wished Koҫ success in the continuation of his diplomatic career

B&HPA Deputy Speaker Zvizdić receives Turkish Ambassador Koҫ in a farewell visit

Prince William said Monday that his 99-year-old grandfather Prince Philip is doing "OK" after spending nearly a week in hospital.

Questioned by journalists while visiting a vaccination centre in eastern England, second-in-line to the throne William, 38, said: "Yes, he's OK, they're keeping an eye on him." 
He then gave a wink.
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband for 73 years, was admitted to the private King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday evening as a "precautionary measure" after he felt unwell, Buckingham Palace said.
Palace sources said that his admission was not coronavirus-related and that he was in good spirits.
William's father Prince Charles visited his father in hospital on Saturday but did not comment on his state of health.

He was admitted to the private King Edward VII Hospital in London on Tuesday evening as a "precautionary measure" after he felt unwell

Palace sources said that his admission was not coronavirus-related and that he was in good spirits

Prince Philip doing 'OK', says Prince William

The French Riviera will go into lockdown for the next two weekends to contain Covid-19 which has been spreading faster in the tourist hotspot than elsewhere in France, the region's top official said on Monday.Controls at airports and at the land border the southern Alpes-Maritimes region shares with Italy would be tightened over the next two weeks, prefect Bernard Gonzalez said, and stores larger than 5,000 metres square (54,000 square feet) would be closed.The coastal city of Nice, the region's capital and France's fifth-biggest city, has been recording 700 positive cases per 100,000 inhabitants, three times the national average.Senior French hospitals official Remi Salomon has described the epidemic as "out of control" in the region and said measures taken in recent weeks have not been sufficient.The coastal area affected by the lockdown, stretching from Theoule-sur-Mer to Menton, includes Nice and other famous resorts including Cannes and Antibes.Residents will be allowed to go out for one hour daily so long as they stay within a radius of five kilometres (three miles) from their homes during the lockdown which will start at 6:00 pm on Fridays and end at 6:00 am on Mondays.France has avoided imposing a third nationwide lockdown to fight the virus, in contrast with some of its neighbours, in what analysts see as a risky gamble by President Emmanuel Macron to allow the economy to gain some steam.Currently mainland France has a nightly curfew beginning at 6:00 pm. The only part of the country with a complete lockdown in place is the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte where the measure has been in effect since February 5.The curfew has been credited with keeping a lid on infection rates but government spokesman Gabriel Attal said Saturday the latest trends were "not good".After a slow start, France's vaccination campaign has gained some momentum with more than 2.5 million people receiving a first dose and, of those, over 1.1 million a second dose.

Controls at airports and at the land border the southern Alpes-Maritimes region shares with Italy would be tightened over the next two weeks

The coastal area affected by the lockdown includes Nice and other famous resorts including Cannes and Antibes

French Riviera to go into weekend lockdown over COVID

Italy's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo was killed on Monday when a UN convoy came under attack in the troubled east, DRC sources and the government in Rome said.

Luca Attanasio died of his wounds after a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy came under fire near Goma, a senior diplomatic source said in Kinshasa.
Two other people also died in the attack, Major Guillaume Djike, the army's spokesman in North Kivu province told AFP. Other sources said the two were the envoy's driver and bodyguard.
Attanasio's death was confirmed in Rome by the Italian foreign ministry, which also said an Italian policeman died.
Attanasio, who had been appointed to the DRC in early 2018, suffered "gunshot wounds to the abdomen" and was taken to a hospital in Goma in critical condition, the diplomat in Kinshasa said.
The DRC's army said its troops were searching the area for the assailants.
A vast country the size of continental western Europe, the DRC is grappling with numerous conflicts, especially in its remote, mineral-rich east.
Scores of militias roam the four eastern provinces, many of them a legacy of wars in the 1990s that sucked in countries around central-southern Africa and claimed millions of lives.
Monday's attack occurred north of Goma -- a region that includes the UNESCO-listed Virunga National Park, which has also been troubled by violence.
The UN's refugee agency, the UNHCR, said last week that more than 2,000 civilians were killed in North and South Kivu and Ituri last year.

Luca Attanasio died of his wounds after a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy came under fire near Goma

Attanasio's death was confirmed in Rome by the Italian foreign ministry, which also said an Italian policeman died

Austria and France donate equipment for rescue services in B&H

Forto - Strömquist: Presentation of a study for air quality assessment in SC

HJPC tomorrow to determine candidates for judges of FB&H Constitutional Court

COVID-19 confirmed in 515 people in B&H, with 17 deaths in the last 24 hours

ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić's security licence for accessing classified information has not been extended

Annual NATO drill gets underway in Italy

Afghanistan begins COVID-19 vaccination drive amid rising violence

Magazinović to Tegeltija: What you are doing is dangerous for B&H citizens

"Kaveson" affair: What documents of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H, whose citizenship was renounced by Ranko Debevec, reveal

The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested the delivery of cases related to David Dragičević

Sattler: Gradually reduce presence of the international community in B&H

UN chief urges Myanmar to respect people's will

B&HPA Deputy Speaker Zvizdić receives Turkish Ambassador Koҫ in a farewell visit

Prince Philip doing 'OK', says Prince William

French Riviera to go into weekend lockdown over COVID

Italian ambassador killed in DR Congo attack

News

Austria and France donate equipment for rescue services in B&H

Forto - Strömquist: Presentation of a study for air quality assessment in SC

HJPC tomorrow to determine candidates for judges of FB&H Constitutional Court

COVID-19 confirmed in 515 people in B&H, with 17 deaths in the last 24 hours

ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić's security licence for accessing classified information has not been extended

Annual NATO drill gets underway in Italy

Afghanistan begins COVID-19 vaccination drive amid rising violence

Magazinović to Tegeltija: What you are doing is dangerous for B&H citizens

"Kaveson" affair: What documents of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H, whose citizenship was renounced by Ranko Debevec, reveal

The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina has requested the delivery of cases related to David Dragičević

Sattler: Gradually reduce presence of the international community in B&H

UN chief urges Myanmar to respect people's will

B&HPA Deputy Speaker Zvizdić receives Turkish Ambassador Koҫ in a farewell visit

Prince Philip doing 'OK', says Prince William

French Riviera to go into weekend lockdown over COVID

Italian ambassador killed in DR Congo attack