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Romano Prodi, Prime Minister of Italy
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The Bulgarian Post
2006-08-22 10:12:01
Italy has offered to lead the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, a role that was initially assigned to France.
The Italian government has agreed to send as many as 3,000 troops.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said his country was willing to lead the planned international. Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema however warned his country could only fulfil its offer if Israel respected the truce, now in its ninth day.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to make a decision on the force by the weekend.
France was the first to pledge to lead the force, but scaled down its offer and said it will provide no more than 200 troops, drawing harsh criticism in Washington.
Meanwhile Israel said it shot three suspected Hezbollah fighters in south Lebanon late Monday, showing just how fragile the ceasefire is. The killings have been denied by the militant group.
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