ROME, April 19: Romano Prodi, European Commission president and a key figure in the Italian opposition, faced angry criticism in Rome on Monday after voicing support for Spain's decision to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

His spokesman later tried to play down his comments, which appeared to run counter to the Commission's official stance. The Italian government, which has troops in Iraq, denounced Mr Prodi and called on him to resign from his Brussels post.

Speaking at a meeting of centre-left allies, Mr Prodi said Spain's move to recall its forces was aimed at putting pressure on the international community to resolve the Iraq crisis.

"With this decision, Spain has fallen into line with our position," Mr Prodi said, referring to his political alliance in Italy which has said Italian troops deployed in Iraq should return home unless the United Nations takes charge there.

"The divide that prevented Europe from having a common position is being overcome," he added. In Brussels, EU Commission spokesman Reijo Kemppinen responded cautiously when asked whether Mr Prodi's views were shared by the Commission. He said past comments by Mr Prodi, that he did not see it as useful to withdraw troops, "still apply".

Romano Prodi is a former centre-left prime minister and is set to return to Italian politics full-time once his mandate in Brussels ends later this year. -Reuters