Israel's Olmert calls for Italy to lead U.N. force

JERUSALEM, Aug 20 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called for Italy to lead a United Nations peacekeeping force for Lebanon, the Prime Minister's office said in a statement today.

The call came in a telephone conversation between Olmert and Italian premier Romano Prodi and indicate that Italy's chances of leading the force have increased following France's apparent reluctance to commit more than some 200 troops to Lebanon.

''It is important that Italy should lead the international force and send troops to also oversee the Lebanon-Syria border crossings,'' the statement said.

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