A small town in southern Italy has joined efforts to resolve the Iraq issue - it is offering sanctuary to Saddam Hussein should the Iraqi leader decide to step down.
Soveria Mannelli in the Calabria region has a population of just over 3,500 people but it has made available Liberty Palace - a newly-renovated building in the centre of town - to Saddam Hussein and his family.
The town's mayor told the BBC Soveria was happy to play host to the Iraqi leader.
"Exile for Saddam is the only solution for peace in the world", Mario Caligiuri told the World Today Programme.
If the Iraqi leader were to accept the mayor's proposal, he could expect a typical southern Italy town surrounded by the picturesque Silo Piccola mountains and plentiful woodland.
Its local industry is driven primarily by food processing plants. However it recently became the site of an internet project designed to bring all inhabitants - including any visitors - well versed in all matters online.
Immunity exchange
A formal proposal by the United Arab Emirates - backed by Kuwait and Bahrain - is on the agenda of an emergency summit of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Qatar.
A meeting of the regional Gulf Co-operation Council on Saturday stopped short of formally endorsing the initiative, even though its six ministers described it as very important.
It would mean Saddam Hussein and the rest of the Iraqi leadership leaving their country within 14 days in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
Iraq would then be put under the control of the United Nations and the Arab League.
Saddam Hussein has said he would rather die than go into exile.
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