Rome, Nov 12: Italy is determined its forces will remain in Iraq despite an attack on a southern police base in which at least 14 Italians were killed, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said today. "Our determination is the same as those Italians in uniform, who are honouring the coalition engaged in supporting Iraq on its road to democracy," Berlusconi said, just hours after the attack on the Italian police base in Southern Nasiriyah. "No intimidation will change our desire to help this country to rebuild and form a government, in security and freedom," he added, as the leftwing opposition demanded an immediate withdrawal of Italian troops from Iraq. Berlusconi voiced his deep sadness at "the lives cut short by terrorism during a humanitarian and freedom operation to help the Iraqi people and defend stability and security in the Middle East."
Italy has deployed some 2,400 troops alongside the us-led coalition in Iraq, down from the 3,000 initially sent there under the command of British forces.
Berlusconi also said he was "proud of the courage and humanity with which our troops, and in the first instance the Carabinieri, are working to make the situation more bearable for women, children, the elderly and weak who are living in a region which for 34 years was under the tyranny of a foul regime, maintained by terrorism."
Bureau Report