Soldiers of the special forces Tuscania Battalion appear through a
cloud of smoke as they take part in a training excercise on the the
outskirts of Livorno in northern Italy November 8, 2001. Italy pledged
on Wednesday to provide almost 3,000 troops for the U.S.-led war
against Afghanistan, promising significant logistical support to the
campaign and also limited combat capabilities. REUTERS/Vincenzo Pinto

VP/GB