(AKI) - Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi will consider increasing the country's troop commitment in Afghanistan, if he is re-elected in the forthcoming national elections. Berlusconi was commenting on a potential expansion of the country's commitment and other aspects of foreign policy during a press conference at the headquarters of the GMC-Adnkronos media group in Rome. The media event was organised as part of the media company's "Special Election 2008" coverage. "If it was necessary for an increase in the presence of troops (in Afghanistan) to strengthen a democracy that is very important for all of us, I believe we would comply, if all the other allies decided together to do so," Berlusconi said during his visit.
Berlusconi was welcomed by the director and chairman of GMC-Adnkronos, Giuseppe Marra, during a campaign visit to the Italian capital. Berlusconi noted the recent changes in political leadership in Europe. "There are new players: (French president) Sarkozy has met (British prime minister) Gordon Brown, with whom he has examined, together, the problem of Afghanistan and the central importance of the country and of the whole region," Berlusconi said. Italy currently has around 2,350 troops in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping force.