Italy and Iraq affirmed, on Monday, their commitment to making all efforts to avoid regional escalation. A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fouad Hussein, expressed their deep concern over the growing tension in the Middle East, which threatens the entire region. According to the statement: "The two parties affirmed the commitment of Italy and Iraq to making all efforts to avoid regional escalation, and calling on all concerned parties to resort to dialogue and diplomacy in order to support the de-escalation and provide space for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza." The two Ministers agreed, according to the statement, to remain in close contact in this regard, as well as within the framework of the Mediterranean Dialogues initiative, which will be organized by the Italian government in Rome in late November. Source: National Iraqi News Agency