Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema left for Iraq Wednesday, where he is expected to hold talks with Iraqi authorities on the pullout of Italian troops, Italy's Foreign Ministry said.

The visit comes two days after an attack on an Italian military convoy that killed a soldier and wounded four others. The death raised to 32 the number of Italian personnel killed in Iraq, where Italy has about 2,700 troops.

Premier Romano Prodi said Tuesday the government was working out the timing and manner of the withdrawal with allies and with Iraqi authorities. He also said the attack on Monday would not speed up Italy's plans to pull out.

D'Alema is also scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington next week to discuss the pullout.

Source: Xinhua