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Italy Commits 2,700 Troops to War
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
(17:19 GMT)
The BBC

Some of the Italian forces may see ground action.
Photo Credit: The Associated Press.

Mr Martino said the Italian force would be placed under the direct command of the US military.

Italy has announced that it is providing a force of 2,700 troops to join the US-led military operation against Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Antonio Martino told parliament the force would include naval, air and ground units.

Some might be involved in combat operations, he said, but the majority would be involved in logistical and defensive tasks.

Parliament gave its resounding approval to the decision with only the small communist and green parties voting against.

The announcement came as the German cabinet approved Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's pledge on Thursday to provide a force of nearly 4,000 troops at the request of the US.

Mr Schroeder stressed that German troops would not be involved in ground combat.
(More: BBC News Source)
2001 © The British Broadcasting Corporation.

Dan