Italian FM to Haaretz: Int'l force could also be deployed in Gaza

[Eugene]

Italian FM to Haaretz: Int'l force could also be deployed in Gaza
By Meron Rapoport

ROME - If the planned multinational force in Lebanon succeeds,
it might be possible to create a similar force for the Gaza Strip,
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema said in an interview
with Haaretz.

D'Alema said that America's aggressive approach to the Middle East,
which Israel shares, has failed, and has caused serious damage.
Now, he said, Italy and Europe must prove to Israelis that only
international intervention can bring them security.

D'Alema is considered the driving force behind Italy's decision to
contribute 3,000 soldiers to a beefed-up UN Interim Force in Lebanon
(UNIFIL), thereby making it the largest western contributor to the
force.

But the Italian foreign minister, who met with Israeli Foreign Minister
Tzipi Livni in Rome yesterday, said that the multinational force can
only help the government of Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. This matter
"essentially depends" solely on the government of Prime Minister Fouad
Siniora, he said, and will certainly not be done through force.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/754713.html

Also: Italy says international force possible for Gaza - Reuters