November 5, 2001	Monday	haba’an 18, 1422

ROME, Nov 4: The United States has accepted Italy’s offer of military help in its war against terrorism, a US diplomatic source in Italy said on Sunday.

The US source was unable to disclose what kind of assistance Washington might seek from Italy.

“We confirm that a letter has been sent to the Italian government accepting their offer of military help,” the source said.

News of the acceptance came as Italian media reported Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was to join Britain’s Tony Blair, French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder when they meet to discuss the US campaign later on Sunday.

Blair, Chirac and Schroeder were originally scheduled to meet alone in London as Western powers ponder the next move against Taliban and Osama bin Laden.

The Italian government offered to make available ships and Tornado fighter planes but the US diplomatic source was unable to say if the letter Washington sent to Rome outlined the type of assistance the United States had accepted.

Italy’s defence ministry was not immediately available for comment. —Reuters