++ Italian ship to be sent to Red Sea ahead of schedule - MoD ++

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 19 - The Italian frigate 'Virgilio Fasan' is to be deployed to the Red Sea ahead of schedule in the context of a deteriorating security situation following attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial vessels navigating in the area, the Italian defence ministry said on Tuesday. The ship was set to be deployed next February in support of the European diplomatic and anti-piracy operation 'Atalanta' in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. (ANSA).