Rome - Speaking ahead of a Middle East visit, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Syria can play an important role in ensuring the success of an Egyptian-brokered end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

"Divisions have emerged" between Hamas representatives in the Gaza Strip and the militant Islamist group's exiled leadership in Syria over a ceasefire proposal to end the Israeli military offensive, Frattini said Thursday in an interview with Adnkronos International
(AKI) news agency.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy - Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone believes Sebastian Vettel is the most promising young driver but is rooting for Felipe Massa in the 2009 title race.

Speaking at a Ferrari journalist get-together in Madonna di Campiglio Ecclestone said that Vettel was doing a good job. "He is very talented."

Vettel last season became the youngest-ever winner of a Grand Prix when he took the chequered flag at the Italian GP in Monza.

Perugia, Italy - A media frenzy surrounded the opening Friday of a trial in which a US college student and her Italian former boyfriend are accused of sexually assaulting and murdering her British roommate.

Scores of reporters, including many from the US and Britain, packed a courthouse in Perugia where Amanda Knox from Seattle and Raffaele Sollecito appeared in front of an eight-member jury, the ANSA news agency reported.

The two were indicted in October for the murder of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher, found semi-naked with her throat cut, in the apartment she shared with Knox in 2007.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy - Title holder Lewis Hamilton will be the man to beat as Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen set their sights on the 2009 Formula One world title.

But Brazil's Massa vowed on Thursday at Ferrari's annual winter retreat in the Alps that he will give the McLaren driver Hamilton another big fight.

"The most important thing is to be world champion. I am probably in the best position in the career," he said. "Everyone starts from zero after the rule changes. But Lewis is probably our biggest rival."

Stockholm- Swedish King Carl Gustaf is to pay a state visit to Italy along with Queen Silvia in March, the royal palace and Swedish foreign ministry said Wednesday.

The royals were to be accompanied by Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and a delegation of Swedish business leaders.

Swedish State Secretary Frank Belfrage said the March 24-27 visit offered "an opportunity to deepen relations and to discuss concrete projects."

Signhild Arnegard Hansen, chairwoman of the confederation of Swedish Enterprise, said some 20 companies were to accompany the royals and attend a seminar in Milan.

Belgrade- Italian carmaker Fiat will begin in March the production of its Punto automobile in Serbian factory Zastava, Belgrade media reported.

Director of Zastava factory Zoran Radojevic said the agreement between Fiat and Zastava will be signed next week.

Radojevic didn't specify the amount of the production but said the factory, situated in central Serbian town of Kragujevac, can produce 20,000 cars per year and with "minimal investment" the capacity can be upgraded to 40,000 per year.