Free Republic

Italy is to begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq in September 2005, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said. He told Rai state television the pullout would take place "in agreement with our allies". Italy has 3,000 troops in Iraq - the fourth largest foreign contingent. Domestic opposition to Italy's involvement in Iraq intensified after the killing of an Italian agent by US troops in Baghdad earlier this month. The announcement comes weeks after the Italian Senate voted to extend the country's military presence in Iraq beyond June. Mr Berlusconi has been one of US President George W Bush's staunchest...

Iraq: the Americans were to be unaware of the release of Sgrena ROME - the operation to release Giuliana Sgrena, hostage in Iraq, was to proceed without the knowledge of the Americans, according to an Italian General. An Italian secret agent was killed by American shootings during the repatriation of the journalist towards the airport of Baghdad. The General, Mario Marioli, assistant commander of the multinational body in Iraq, stated to have received twice the order not to warn the American ally of the operation. It was expressed in a report/ratio quoted Saturday by "Repubblica" and intended for the...