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Italy's defense minister Ignazio La Russa said that Italy may withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2011. The western part of the country, where Italian troops are based, may be ready for turnover to Afghan security forces sooner than other areas, Russo said. Two days ago, four Italian soldiers were killed in an ambush in Farah province, bringing Italy's death toll in the Afghan conflict to 34 since 2004.