ROME, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- Italian Defense Minister Arturo Parisi said Thursday that the Italian troops deployed in Lebanon as part of a UN peacekeeping force will be involved in a "military mission" and may have to use force.

    The Italian contingent will help support a UN-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas following a five-week conflict sparked by Hezbollah's kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers. The ceasefire came into effect Monday morning.

    Parisi said there was a risk that the Italian soldiers may have to use force considering they would be "treading on hot coals."

    "But this is a risk we're working with and preparing for because we are interested in maintaining peace while at the same time concerned about safeguarding the lives of our soldiers," he said.

    But he said that he hoped that the soldiers will not need to use force to carry out their duties.

    Italy has offered to assume the role of second-in-command of the UN mission, which will be headed by France.

    The ceasefire resolution adopted last Friday by the UN called for the expansion of the UN peacekeeping force that has been in Lebanon since 1978. Plans for a 15,000-strong multi-national force are currently being worked out. Enditem