Italy to pull troops out of Iraq

Italy is to start withdrawing its troops from Iraq, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced tonight.

“We will begin to reduce our contingent even before the end of the year, starting in September, in agreement with our allies,” he said.

After the US and Britain, Italy has one of the largest military contingents in Iraq.

British forces had to take over areas from the Dutch whose forces pulled out of Iraq this month.

Withdrawing Italian troops “will depend on the capability of the Iraqi government to give itself structures for acceptable security,” Berlusconi said.

“I’ve spoken about it with Tony Blair, and it’s the public opinion of our countries that expects this decision.”

Italy has some 3,000 troops in Iraq, and its government has been a big backer of US President George Bush.