Foreign troops not needed after elections in Iraq: Italy

CAIRO, Oct 2 (AFP) - Deputy Italian Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini said Saturday that foreign troops would no longer be necessary in Iraq once elections had been held.
"Once an Iraqi government has been formed, one that represents all Iraqis, the presence of foreign forces will no longer be necessary," Fini said at a joint news conference with Arab League leader Amr Mussa.
Italy, which has 3,000 soldiers and police serving in Iraq, has refused the demands of hostage-takers to immediately pull out its troops, saying they would stay through elections.
Elections in Iraq are slated for January, but there has been growing concern that the continuing violence could disrupt or delay the vote.