Stoltenberg sparks fury in Italy by nominating Spaniard as new southern envoy

(Patria) - Italy's defence minister has accused NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of betraying Rome for not appointing an Italian as the organisation's new envoy for coordinating operations on the Alliance's southern borders.

The position was opened earlier this month at the request of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and her government then stated that it believed the mandate should be assigned to an Italian.

NATO has not yet announced who will be appointed, but Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told the newspaper La Stampa late last week that Stoltenberg had nominated a Spaniard, adding that he considers the decision "almost a personal insult."

The North Atlantic Alliance's media office, when asked about Crosetto's criticisms, responded that "NATO will announce (the decision on) any appointment in due course" and declined to comment further on the minister's statements.

Crosetto said he had sent a "very angry message" to Stoltenberg.

- He made me furious and there will be consequences on a personal level - Crosetto said, which represents a highly unusual course of action by a NATO member against its leader.

- He betrayed a principle. Italy is the one that fought for the creation of the role of envoy for the southern flank - Crosetto stated, adding that Stoltenberg disagreed with the decision to create the new role and therefore punished Italy.

Last month, NATO selected former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to take over leadership from the Norwegian Stoltenberg on October 1, who leaves the helm of the organisation after 10 years.

When asked by journalists whether he expects the envoy position to be assigned to Italy after Stoltenberg's departure, Crosetto said he hopes it will be left to "the best person."