Rome, 7 July (AKI) - About one-quarter of Italian troops involved in military missions abroad will be brought home by the end of the year, Italy announced on Thursday.

Reforms minister Roberto Calderoli speaking at a Rome press conference with defence minister Ignazio La Russa said: "2,078 men will return home by the end of the year."

Part of this troop reduction is made possible by Italy's plan to repatriate its Garibaldi aircraft carrier Garibaldi and its 890 soldiers engaged in Nato's Libya operation.

The ship will return to Italy by the end of July and be substituted by a smaller vessel, La Russa said.

Italy has soldiers involved in 29 overseas missions in 28 countries, the Italian defence ministry said on 30 June. Afghanistan has 4,200 Italian troops, followed by 1,780 in Lebanon and 650 in the Balkans.

Libya, where Italy's warplanes and ships are taking part in the Nato mission, was not included on the list.

The Italian troop reduction will save the country 117 million euros a year, falling to 694 million euros from 811 million euros, La Russa said.