Sharon in Rome

The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has arrived in Italy as part of an effort to get European backing for his tough line against the Palestinians.

Before stepping off the plane, Mr Sharon called on the international community to step up the pressure on the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, to make real moves towards ending what he called terrorism in the region.

Several Italian newspapers quote Mr Sharon as saying that Europeans are less understanding towards Israel - but he welcomed the new Italian government's decision to align itself closer to the United States in its approach to international crises.

Correspondents say Italy has been a fervent supporter of Palestinian rights, while at the same time having backed measures to protect Israel's security.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service