Italian PM faces new Afghan vote

The Senate has to agree the re-financing for the mission.

But the parties on the far-left of Mr Prodi's alliance want the 1,800 troops currently deployed in Afghanistan to come home.

It is barely a month since Mr Prodi lost a Senate vote on foreign policy and another defeat could spell the end for the prime minister.

'Smelling an opportunity'

In previous votes on Afghanistan, the opposition forces led by Silvio Berlusconi have voted with Mr Prodi in solidarity with the troops serving abroad.

But in recent days, Mr Berlusconi has expressed his concern at the way in which the government negotiated the release of an Italian journalist kidnapped in Afghanistan by the Taleban, a deal in which five Taleban prisoners were released in exchange.

The opposition has also criticised Mr Prodi for refusing to consider changes to the rules of engagement for Italian troops.

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