ROME - The multinational security force Italy plains to lead into Albania will be called "Operation Alba", the Italian for "sunrise", the Defence Ministry said yesterday.
A ministry spokesman said the word echoed the start of the name of the troubled Balkan state. "It could also signify a new dawn," he said.
Italy has said it plans to start deploying the UN approved force from next week to protect shipments of food and medicines needed in Europe's poorest state after lawless violence broke out last month following the collapse of shady savings schemes. Up to 2,500 of the force's planned 6,000 troops are expected to be Italian. France has pledged 1,000, Greece 700, Turkey 500, Romania 400 and Spain 300. Austria and Denmark may also join.
The 1,000 strong French contingent in an international force for Albania will start leaving today from the Mediterranean port of Toulon, the Defence Ministry said yesterday.