Naples garbage crisis to end

NAPLES, Italy, July 2 (UPI) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi promised to end the crisis that has allowed 18,000 tons of garbage to pile up in Naples and its surrounding province.

During a visit to the trash-plagued area, Berlusconi said the government is moving toward a solution and would have the streets cleared within two weeks, Italy's ANSA news agency reports.

Berlusconi criticized the area's rubbish collection firm for not working full crews seven days a week and said the city council would intervene to see that it did.

He also confirmed that agreements were imminent with other Italian regions to take some of remaining garbage.

A new incinerator for Naples is to begin service in January and construction of three additional incinerators are planned for the region.