Italy, Spain to boost militrary cooperation in Libya, Lebanon

La Russa and Piqueras during the meeting launched a joint military commission to reduce the number of Italian troops deployed in Lebanon to 1,000. The meeting also focused on the Libyan mission, a military official told Xinhua.

The meeting took place at the Italian military base of Decimomannu on the island of Sardinia, where Spain has sent four F-18 fighter jets and a refueling aircraft to participate in the NATO-led operation in Libya.

"We have convened on the positive results of our joint commitment in Libya and on the urgency of launching as soon as possible a diplomatic exit strategy to the ongoing conflict," La Russa said at the end of the meeting.

Italy has offered its southern military base to the countries involved in the NATO-led mission to Libya and recently decided to take part in air raids over the North African country.