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the UN Security Council cleared the way for air strikes, and said it would commit its own forces.
Italy has “granted the use of military bases on its national territory,” the government’s Press office said after an emergency cabinet meeting in Rome.
“The Americans and the British have already made requests for some bases,” Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa told a meeting in parliament.
He added that seven air bases in Italy were available for operations.
Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said Italy had also shut down its embassy in Tripoli and evacuated diplomatic staff following the UN vote.
Frattini emphasised that Italy would prefer NATO involvement.
The use of Italy’s bases is seen as critical for any military action because of its location just across the Mediterranean from northern Libya.
Also yesterday the island of Malta, which is neutral under its constitution, granted use of its air space for other countries to enforce a no-fly zone but said it would not serve as a base for any military operations.
Italy meanwhile re-positioned an aircraft carrier, the Garibaldi, to the port of Augusta in eastern Sicily for possible deployment.
A defence source told AFP that three other Italian warships were in the region including one, the Libra, carrying a humanitarian cargo that was due to arrive at an unnamed port in eastern Libya today.
“Our assets are ready,” La Russa said.
“We have a strong capacity to neutralise the radars” and air defences, he said, warning that a no-fly zone would be “a seriously demanding initiative.”
He said Italy was “worried” because of its location and interests in Libya.
“There’s no enthusiasm, there is concern.
“In all of this we have tried to pursue maximum prudence and moderation also because we know that we are closer and more vulnerable, with many interests,” La Russa said.
Libya fired two missiles at a US base on the Italian island of Lampedusa in 1986 in retaliation against US bombings of Tripoli.
Libya’s former colonial ruler and top trade partner, Italy has been cautious since the start of the uprising last month and has emphasised the need for wide international agreement on a no-fly zone.
Italy and Libya are bound by a 2008 friendship treaty that officially forbids the use of air bases in Italy to bomb Libya but Frattini yesterday said that the UN resolution effectively cancelled the treaty.

Libya earlier warned Italy against taking part in international action.
“Let’s hope Italy keeps out of this initiative,” Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim told the Italian news agency ANSA in Tripoli last Thursday.
“We are certain Italy has Libya’s integrity and the protection of the population at heart.
“Let’s hope that it doesn’t consent to the use of its bases.” – AFP.