(14 Aug 2006) SHOTLIST
1. Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema arriving at the Grand Serail
2. Various of meeting between D'Alema and Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora
3. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Massimo D'Alema, Italian Foreign Minister
"Italy is ready to contribute to the UN peacekeeping force that will go to South Lebanon to guarantee the security and put an end to any violations of rules regarding the blue line boundaries of the two countries and to guarantee stable peace."
4. D'Alema at presser
STORYLINE
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema toured the destruction of southern Beirut, hours after a UN-borkered ceasefire went into effect at 8 am local time (0500GMT) on Monday.
Thirty four days of an Israeli nationwide aerial bombardment and ground offensive has left Lebanon facing reconstruction that could take years and cost billions of dollars to restore.
According to government figures, the outbreak of war left more than 1000 people dead.
Later, D'Alema met Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.
At a press conference D'Alema said Italy was ready to contribute to the UN peacekeeping force "to guarantee the security and put an end to any violations of rules regarding the blue line boundaries of the two countries."
Beirut's devastated southern suburbs took a final pounding from Israel in the final hours before the ceasefire went into effect.
Half an hour after the ceasefire took hold, Israeli warplanes, a regular fixture in Lebanese skies during the month-long war, were absent.
The ceasefire agreement adopted on Friday called on Israel to cease all "offensive" military operations, but Israel made it clear it reserved the right to protect its soldiers and is remaining on Lebanese soil.
The military also said it was maintaining its air and sea blockade of Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from rearming.

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