THE VATICAN: The Holy See yesterday confirmed that the Vatican is ready and willing, if called on, to mediate in the ongoing conflict between US forces and those of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf, writes Paddy Agnew Rome
Vatican spokesperson, Father Ciro Benedettini, yesterday told journalists that there had been enquiries "from many parts" about the Holy See's willingness to act as a mediator, adding: "The Holy See is obviously always willing to help parties talk to one another and enter into a dialogue, on condition however that there really is a willingness to pursue peaceful methods for the resolution of conflict."
The Vatican spokesman added that the Holy See is in constant contact with Iraq via both the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Fernando Filoni, and the Chaldean Patriarch, Emmanuel Delly.
Yesterday's comments followed on those of Monday by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who told Italian TV: "If a request is made, the Pope will be only too happy to give the go-ahead to this mediation.
"The main aim would be to get all parties to sit down together at a table and talk to one another."
Yesterday's Vatican statement prompted a positive reaction from Moqtada al-Sadr, according to the Baghdad Nuncio, Archbishop Filoni, who commented: "Moqtada al-Sadr has expressed his appreciation for the Holy See's willingness to mediate in the resolution of Najaf crisis".
In a separate development, Italian and British Prime Ministers, Mr Silvio Berlusconi and Mr Tony Blair, yesterday confirmed their "common position" on Iraq.
Speaking from Mr Berlusconi's luxury villa at Porto Rotondo in Sardinia, the two leaders issued a joint communique stating: "Violence must cease and the Iraqi government must make every effort to find a solution that does not involve the use of arms.
"It is obvious that the groups of armed rebels must accept the call to end the violence, lay down their arms and enter into Iraqi political debate." Mr and Mrs Blair had stopped off with Mr Berlusconi on their way to their annual holidays in Tuscany.
Later yesterday, both Prime Ministers took part in a three-way phone call with US President Mr George Bush, which focused almost exclusively on the situation in Iraq.
Italy expelled two Africans because of an alleged possible threat to national security, officials said. The men, an Algerian and a Moroccan, were deported from the northern Italian city of Como, just outside Milan.
"They were suspected of being dangerous people ... and that their presence in the country could constitute a threat to national security," an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said.
When asked whether the expulsion orders were related to al-Qaeda, she added: "Probably, yes."
The two men were not identified. The newspaper La Repubblica said the men had been long-term legal foreign residents.
Investigations did not yield enough evidence for domestic charges, it said.