UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has expressed gratitude for Italy's contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, local media reported on Thursday.

During a phone conversation Wednesday night with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Annan said he was "deeply grateful" for Italy's offer to contribute to the enlarged UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which will oversee the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah group, said a statement issued by Prodi's office Thursday.

Annan and Prodi discussed the situation in Lebanon, the deployment of UNIFIL, the best way to protect the fragile truce and the overall Mideast situation, the statement said.

The UN chief also expressed "heartfelt thanks" for Italy's "significant commitment in the humanitarian and reconstruction sector" of Lebanon, according to the statement.

Prodi reiterated Italy's willingness to participate in UNIFIL but said the UN force must have a "clear and unambiguous mandate" with precisely defined rules of engagement.

He also said that Italy was keen to seek a "lasting solution" to tensions in the Middle East through dialogue.

An Italian aid ship carrying 500 tonnes of food and medical supplies set sail for Beirut earlier this week. Technical experts were also on board to help the Lebanese government with the reconstruction process. The ship is scheduled to arrive on Saturday.