D'Alema denied any new European initiative to resolve the political stalement in Lebanon. The country has been without a president since former incumbent Emile Lahoud resigned last November.

D'Alema was one of the main supporters of Italy's deployment of troops in 2006 to the United Nations peacekeeping force stationed there (photo) after the July war between Israel and guerrillas from Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah.

"There was a European initiative that led to the nomination of a candidate (army chief Gen. Michel Suleiman) who has wide support, but unfortunately, Lebanon's political forces have been unable to reach agreement," D'Alema said.

D'Alema was responding to comments made by French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner on Tuesday hinting at a possible new French initiative for Lebanon after the Arab League's Damascus summit later this month.

The delay in voting in a new president caused by differences between a pro-West ruling bloc and pro-Syrian opposition, has been described by observers as the worst political crisis since Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.

"Independently of Europe's efforts, I consider dialogue between Arab countries fundamental. Therefore, the Arab League meeting (slated for 29-30 March) should resolve the problems that are weighing heavily on the country's institutional life," said D'Alema.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a special 2008 election debate with post-fascist National Alliance party leader Gianfranco Fini organised by the media group, GMC-Adnkronos at its headquarters in Rome on Wednesday.

D'Alema recognised that Italy and other countries of the European Union "have done a lot."

"But we can't go beyond a certain point, because it is not up to us to form a government in Beirut."

"It's up to the Lebanese" to do move in this direction, D'Alema said. "I have talked about this with the Arab League secretary general (Amr Moussa)," D'Alema said.

"I fully back his efforts, and hope these bear fruit," he stated.