World Leaders in Rome as Mideast Diplomacy Heats Up
Security forces locked down central Rome on Thursday as world leaders including the Israeli and Palestinian presidents gathered for celebrations to mark the founding of the Italian republic in 1946.
The Afghan, Argentinian and Russian presidents were also among the more than 80 international delegations taking part, along with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, on the defensive after his party's shock defeat in local elections, will be hosting talks with Biden and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev following a military parade on Thursday.
Israeli military radio also reported the possibility of an impromptu "summit" in the Italian capital between Israeli President Shimon Peres, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Biden.
Peres said he was prepared to meet Abbas but acknowledged his visit came as part of Israeli efforts to convince European nations to oppose Palestinian plans to seek U.N. membership as a state in September.
"There are differences of opinion between European countries. Europe is not united on this issue. That's why the moment has come to try to wield influence," Peres told Israeli radio.
Peres did not confirm talks in Rome with the U.S. and the Palestinians.
French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe met Abbas in Rome on Wednesday before flying to Israel for a two-day trip.
Paris has floated the possibility of bringing Israeli and Palestinian officials to France for a peace conference that could help kick start negotiations before the Palestinians go to the United Nations.
Air space over Rome has been closed for the parade, which will feature a fly-past by the Frecce Tricolori air force aerobatic team as well as an array of military hardware from the early 20th century to the present day.
The event is set to take place along Via dei Fori Imperiali -- a spectacular avenue through the ancient Roman Forum leading to the Colosseum that was built by Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in the 1930s.
After the end of World War II and the killing of Mussolini, Italians voted in a popular referendum on June 2, 1946 to abolish the monarchy. The yearly Feast of the Republic celebration is a public holiday in Italy.
This year is also the 150th anniversary of Italian unification.
Source: Agence France Presse
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