Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema called Tuesday for an urgent meeting of European Union foreign ministers to discuss the participation of EU countries in a United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, Italian news agency reported.

According to the report, the meeting will be held in the Belgian capital on Friday and that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan would also take part.

Italy, which is expected to lead the force, is eager to know the exact number of troops other EU countries are prepared to send before deciding on its own contribution.

Former foreign minister Gianfranco Fini warned D'Alema that strong EU participation in the force was "essential" and urged him to make this very clear during the meeting.

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi told Annan Monday that Italy was willing to lead the force, expected to number up to 15,000 troops. Annan is expected to announce his decision this weekend.

During a phone call on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Prodi that Moscow appreciated Italy's efforts and would "firmly support an eventual Italian leadership of the mission," the report said.

Italy has offered to contribute up to 3,000 troops and defense sources have said that some 1,000 soldiers could be deployed in two weeks' time.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert phoned Prodi during the weekend, telling him it was "important" for Italy to lead the force and "send troops to oversee the Lebanon-Syria crossings".

The Lebanese government has also welcomed Italian leadership of the mission.