Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi underscored Wednesday the importance of national unity in the fight against terrorism, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

At a ceremony in honor of seven police officers killed in the line of duty during Italy's years of terrorism, Ciampi spoke of what he termed a "unity of purpose."

"This unity should have the precise purpose of preventing the carrying to fruition of any absurd plans to throw humanity into a war between civilizations and religions," said Ciampi.

He also urged the international community to ensure the efficiency of intelligence services in the fight against terrorism.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Tuesday national unity had helped in securing the release of two Italian women aid workers held hostage in Iraq.

Kidnapped in Baghdad on September 7, the two women were released Tuesday afternoon to an outburst of nationwide joy.

Berlusconi subsequently thanked the opposition warmly for its cooperation with the government during the crisis, stressing that it had been a rare period of "harmony."

Source: Xinhua