ROME -- Italy will be looking for an exit strategy from Afghanistan after the presidential election there next month, Premier Silvio Berlusconi said in the first suggestion of a possible pullout of Italian troops.The premier said Wednesday night that any withdrawal would be agreed on with Italy's international allies.
Mr. Berlusconi's comments followed calls from within his own government to bring back Italy's 2,800 troops in Afghanistan. Those calls sparked controversy and Mr. Berlusconi was quick to assure allies that Italy would stay the course.
"Only after (the election), will it be possible to think about an exit strategy," Mr. Berlusconi said during a meeting with senators from his own conservative party. He said any exit strategy "will have to be the subject of careful and agreed-upon analysis with international allies."
Violence in Afghanistan has been surging in July, and U.S, NATO, and Afghan forces are working to provide security for the country's Aug. 20 presidential election, which Taliban militants have vowed to disrupt.
Italy's troops are stationed in the western region of Herat and in Kabul. Rome is also sending an additional 500 troops on temporary deployment ahead of the vote.
A total of 14 Italian troops have been killed in the war, with the latest fatality a soldier who was killed by a roadside bomb earlier this month.