Italian PM Romano Prodi said on Monday he had told UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan his country was willing to command the multinational force in Lebanon, but MediaLine reports that Iralian FM Massimo D'Alema has warned Israel that his nation will not lead the force if Israel "keeps shooting." France was originally the driving force behind the multinational force whose mission is to prevent Hezbollah from firing at Israel and Israel from pursuing its military campaign inside of Lebanon.
D'Alema told reporters that Italy expected "renewed effort from Israel." He said, "It's fair to expect that Hezbollah put down their weapons, but we cannot send our troops to Lebanon if [Israel] keeps shooting." At the same time, a minister in the Lebanese government expressed hope that the French would "get more involved."
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