Divided Italy cabinet agrees funds for Afghanistan

ROME, Jan 26 (Reuters) Prime Minister Romano Prodi's cabinet has approved financing to continue Italy's mission in Afghanistan but three leftist ministers abstained in the vote, highlighting the cracks in the centre-left government.

The measure, approved during a marathon, late-night cabinet meeting on Thursday, now goes to parliament, which has to approve funding for missions abroad every six months.

Ministers from the Greens and two communist parties in the coalition did not take part in the vote to show their opposition to keeping about 1,900 troops in Afghanistan.

The centre-left government could face serious difficulties in the Senate, where it has a slim majority, if it has to rely on the centre-right opposition to pass the measure.

The centre right supports the mission in Afghanistan.

Italy pulled out of Iraq last year, a decision taken by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and speeded up by Prodi, who opposed the war.

Prodi has pledged to keep Italy's troops in Afghanistan, arguing that it is a peace mission.

REUTERS SSC PM1842