Israel's new foreign minister began a European tour Monday in Rome, where he is expected to face pressure to tone down his rhetoric and commit to peace with the Palestinians, Associated Press reported. Avigdor Lieberman _ making first official trip abroad as a member of Israeli Prime Minister Bejamin Netanyahu's hard-line Cabinet _ planned to spend two days in Italy before visiting France, Germany and the Czech Republic. Italy's government will likely urge Lieberman to soften his stance on the conflict with Palestinians. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot that Netanyahu's government must accept a two-state solution for the conflict. The peace process «must continue on the basis of the principle of two states for two people,» Frattini said in the interview published Sunday.
