French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin is expected to discuss with his Italian counterpart Romano Prodi in Rome the situation in the Middle East, said a statement issued by the prime minister's office on Wednesday.

"This meeting will provide a chance to discuss the situation in the Middle East, at a time when our two countries have decided to commit strongly towards upholding peace in Lebanon," the statement said.

The two countries confirmed in Brussels last Friday to respectively deploy up to 2,000 and 3,000 troops with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is under France's command until February 2007, when it will be taken over by Italy.

Villepin and Prodi will also discuss such issues as the European energy market and plans for a new France-Italy rail link across the Alps, added the statement.

Source: Xinhua