Israel asks Italy to lead UN troops in Lebanon

Rome/Beirut, Aug 21 (DPA) Italy was asked by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to lead a UN peacekeeping force for Lebanon.

During his telephone call Sunday with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Olmert also asked for soldiers to monitor the border between Lebanon and Syria where Israel believes weapons are being smuggled to Hezbollah militants.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told Prodi in a separate telephone conversation that he welcomed Rome taking a role of importance in the mission.

Earlier Sunday, Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero reached an agreement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prodi on Europe's participation of international troops in southern Lebanon to keep the peace.

Italy is ready to contribute 3,000 troops and Spain between 700 and 800 soldiers. The UN is trying to assemble a 15,000-strong force to work alongside a similar contingent of Lebanese troops.