Prodi to Host Hold Lebanon Talks in Rome

A mere two months after Berlusconi's shameless exit from the Italian political stage, and Italy's diplomatic sway has begun to swagger. Months ago, with Berlusconi still in office, the Bush administration requested that Italy take a central role in the Israel-Palestine crisis. The Bush adminstration's appeal seemed to be motivated by Washington's strong, decades-long alliance with Italy; what Washington perceives as Italy's relatively warm relations with Israel; and Washington's distaste for the ex-Chancellor of Germany, Gerard Schroeder, and the current French president, Jacques Chirac.

This Wednesday, July 26th, Rome will hold an international summit on the Lebanon crisis. Prodi, his cabinet, Condoleezza Rice, and various Arab, Russian, British, German, French, U.N. and World Bank officials will be in attendence. Arab leaders are unlikely to host U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice until a permanent cease-fire is established in Lebanon.

Addressing the choice of Rome, Prodi stated: "I consider it particularly significant that Rome was decided as the place to hold the Lebanon talks. I believe that meeting in Rome constitutes an acknowledgement of the efforts that our government has made to create a path for peace in the Middle East."

At the summit, Rice plans to stress the disarment of Hizballah, particulary as it relates to U.N. Resolution 1559 -- passed in 2004 -- a resolution that called for the immediate disarment of all militias and foreign forces operating on Lebanese territory, and an extension of the Lebanese government's authority to all corners of the country. Rice also plans to stress the necessity for a "robust" international force on the southern Lebanese border, but for now does not see American troops being a part of it.