Berlusconi sent some 3,000 Italian troops to southern Iraqfollowing the ouster of Saddam Hussein in 2003 to help withreconstruction in the country. The premier said this month that Italy would beginbringing home about 300 troops in September, as localsecurity forces become increasingly capable of securing theterritory. The Italian public has opposed the Iraq war. Calls for a withdrawal have mounted in recent monthsfollowing the March killing by U.S. forces in Baghdad of anItalian secret service agent who was escorting an Italianhostage to freedom. The Italian presence in Iraq also is perceived by many asincreasing the terrorist threat at home. Italy, which hasbeen on high alert since the July 7 transit bombings inLondon, is preparing a set of measures to increasesecurity. On Wednesday, opposition leader Romano Prodi said hesupported a gradual withdrawal of Italy's troops, whilesome of his leftist allies want an immediate pullout.--SPA1244 Local Time 0944 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/278229