Italian Defense Minister Arturo Parisi said in Nassiriya on Tuesday that Italy will redouble its efforts to help Iraq after it has withdrawn troops from the country, Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Speaking on his arrival at the southern Iraqi town of Nassiriya where Italian troops are based, Parisi said that Italy will not turn its back on Iraq.

"Italy will continue to show its commitment (to aiding Iraq) through strengthened political, civil and humanitarian collaboration and support for the country's institutions and its reconstruction," Parisi said.

Parisi, who was on his first foreign visit since being appointed minister earlier this month, said Italy would also work to boost international aid and interest in Iraq.

Italy currently has some 2,600 troops stationed in Iraq.

New center-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who narrowly beat previous premier Silvio Berlusconi at the polls last month, has said Italy will pull out of Iraq by the end of the year. This would be in line with a deadline set by the Berlusconi government.

Source: Xinhua