Italy playing key role for de-escalation says Blinken

(ANSA) - ROME, APR 19 - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday praised the role Italy is playing in efforts to stop conflict in the Middle East spiraling out of control.
    "Italy is playing a crucial role for de-escalation in the Middle East," Blinken told a press conference at the end of the meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Capri.
    "It is a leading country that is engaged with many other countries in the world that have direct relations with the Middle East.
    "And it also has direct relations of its own.
    "And we have seen how important this engagement has been over the last 10 days, two weeks, to keep things calm and avoid escalation and a wider conflict" (ANSA).