Italy to boost presence in Afghanistan

ROME, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Italy plans to send more of its troops to Afghanistan, in response to a request from U.S. President Barack Obama, an Italian official said Thursday.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Italy would raise its troop levels in the war-torn country from some 2,300 to 2,800, ANSA reported.

Frattini said it was time for European Union countries to ''play their part,'' noting that Italy has the third-biggest troop contingent in Afghanistan.

Frattini said the Italian military would increase its role in training Afghan police, ''something which is very close to President Obama's heart because it will strengthen security in the country.''

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi also said Thursday that Italy would answer Obama's call for more troops.

''Obama has asked his allies to give him a hand and we won't shrink from the task,'' the premier said.

Obama and Berlusconi Wednesday had a lengthy telephone conversation, in which Obama thanked Berlusconi for Italy's ''strong support'' in Afghanistan, the White House said.