A Nato Awacs plane is seen after landing

A Nato Awacs plane is seen after landing at the Trapani Birgi air base on the Italian island of Sicily on March 19, 2011. Italian air bases could play a key role in any military action against Libya but the prospect of Rome’s first operation against its former colony since World War II carries high risks, experts said. Italy offered use of seven air bases to third countries to impose a no-fly zone on Libya, marking the latest step in a gradual escalation of initially prudent Italian diplomacy following the uprising in Libya. AFP PHOTO / MARCELLO PATERNOSTRO (Photo credit should read MARCELLO PATERNOSTRO/AFP/Getty Images)