LEBANON: CHIRAC AND PRODI AGREES ON NEED FOR CLOSE COOPERATION(AGI) -

http://www.agi.it/english/news.pl?doc=200608191509-1086-RT1-CRO-0-NF82&page=0&id=agionline-eng.italyonline

LEBANON: CHIRAC AND PRODI AGREES ON NEED FOR CLOSE COOPERATION(AGI) - Rome, Aug. 19 - Prime minister Romano Prodi had a telephone conversation with French President Jacques Chirac. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed the future deployment of military forces in Lebanon to support the UNIFIL mission following the presentation by the United Nations of the mission's operational plan and rules of engagement. Prime minister Prodi informed President Chirac of the decisions made yesterday by the Italian government and Parliament concerning the participation of Italian troops in the UNIFIL mission. Chirac expressed his appreciation for the Italian decision and confirmed France's willingness to cooperate with Italy, the UN and the other countries to achieve a successful result. Both Prodi and Chirac agreed on the need and the political relevance of a significant and wide participation of the EU member states in the UNIFIL mission. (AGI) . 191509 AGO 06