Obama to host Italian PM at the White House

WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama will host Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta at the White House next month.

The White House says the visit will focus on the global economy as well as shared challenges in North Africa and the Middle East.

Italy is one of 33 countries that signed a White House statement condemning a chemical weapons attack in Syria and blaming Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime.

But Italy has also opposed military action without approval from the United Nations Security Council.

The visit is set for Oct. 16.