ROME, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to pay an official visit to Italy as part of a European tour aimed at easing the international isolation of the Palestinian administration, local media reported Tuesday.

    Abbas would be in Italy "by the end of the month," said Palestinian National Authority's envoy to Italy Sabri Atiyeh.

    Also on Tuesday, Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister Azzam al-Ahmad was quoted as saying in Ramallah that Abbas would shortly embark on a tour of nine European countries aimed at lifting an international aid embargo.

    Earlier this month Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema urged the new Palestinian government to officially recognize Israel. ¡¡