Frattini, speaking at the Rome meeting, insisted the NATO strikes had produced progress, destroying '40 per cent of the arsenal' at the disposal of Gaddafi's forces.
The Italian foreign minister's confidence, if based on that statistic, is grossly misplaced.
My feeling is that if the Libyan loyalists hold out four weeks, the Italian determination to wage war will falter.
UPDATE: Well, at least Italy has a plan to end their participation:
Libyan rebels fighting to oust Muammar Gaddafi said Saturday they have reached an agreement with Italy to supply them with whatever weapons they need, a rebel spokesman said.
There is at least logic, even if the rebels are unlikely to be strong enough in a month to stand on their own.