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World

Italy to take part in bombing raids over Libya

Associated Press
Published | Updated

ROME – Italy will take part in strategic bombing raids in NATO's Libya mission, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Monday, following a phone call with United States President Barack Obama

Berlusconi's office said in a statement that Italy had decided to beef up its military action in Libya to better contribute to protecting civilians.

Italy had previously said it would not participate in airstrikes against Libyan targets, given its 40-year colonial rule over the country, but in Monday's statement it said it had decided to increase its "operational flexibility."

The statement stressed that Italian airstrikes would only be against "specific military objectives."

Berlusconi will discuss Italy's decision with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Rome on Tuesday, the statement said.

Italian aircraft and navy ships had previously only been involved in Nato's Libya mission for refueling and other operations.

Rebels have complained that NATO-led firepower hasn't been sufficient to help them advance against Moammar Gadhafi's forces.