Prime Minister Enrico Letta, his deputy and several ministers, including Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, met in Rome to discuss Italy`s stance on the Syrian crisis.
The West has ramped up the rhetoric following reports of a deadly chemical attack outside Damascus on August 21, which it blames on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad`s regime.
"The unequivocal condemnation of Bashar al-Assad`s regime was unanimous, as was the feeling that he has passed the point of no return," an Italian government official said after the meeting on condition of anonymity.
The United States and its allies France and Britain have increasingly hinted at the possibility of military action but Assad has the continued backing of the UN Security Council`s two other permanent members Russia and China.
"Our wish is that a solution be reached within a multilateral framework," the official said, adding that Italy had engaged in consultations with its Western partners over the matter.
Britain and France have suggested that an international response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria was possible without unanimous UN backing.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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