ROME - Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on Thursday expressed his "profound concern" after Syria said its air defences opened fire on Israeli warplanes, a report said.
Prodi made the comments in a joint press conference with Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Chareh, according to ANSA news agency.
The Italian prime minister called for "calm and level-headedness" in dealing with the issue.
Syria said its air defences opened fire on Israeli warplanes which had violated Syrian airspace at dawn on Thursday, ratcheting up the tension between the neighbouring foes.
The Syrian vice president called it "a deliberate attack" by the Israelis.
"The aggression will not stop our peace efforts," he said.
Prodi also called on Syria to play a "constructive role" in the Middle East.
fmi/mjs/ar
09/06/2007 21:04 GMT