LOC00:39
21:39 GMT
ROME, Jan 2 (KUNA) -- Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Friday made a
phone call to Israeli counterpart Ehud Olmert, within Italy's capacity as
president of the G-8, in a diplomatic endeavor to halt aggressions on Gaza.
Berlusconi, whose country received chairmanship of the group yesterday and
was preparing for an international initiative to address the situation in the
Middle East, engaged in international contacts in light of the Gaza events, a
statement issued by Italian cabinet headquarters of Chigi Palace said.
Outgoing Premier Olmert briefed counterpart Berlusconi with latest
developments on ground, the statement noted.
Earlier, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini announced that Italy was
working on sketching out an initiative that would not be an instant reflex to
the crisis.
He said that the initiative would enclose offering economic aid and
providing a humanitarian opening in the Strip, as well as reaching a peaceful
settlement through political means.
Frattini pointed out that Rome would discuss the potential initiative with
US president-elect Barack Obama, who is officially taking office on January
20. (end)
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