Italian fuel station operators on Wednesday called off a four-day strike against government decrees on deregulating the sector.

The operators, who recently staged a two-day strike, canceled the planned action originally slated for Feb. 27-March 2 after talks with Italian Minister of Economic Development Pierluigi Bersani, local media reported.

Bersani pledged the government would examine "all the problems" raised by the fuel operators in a round of talks slated to begin on Feb. 27.

The operators are furious at a government decree which allows shopping centers and supermarkets to sell petrol, extends business hours and abolishes rules establishing minimum distances between petrol stations.

The decree was approved by the government in late January with immediate effect.

Complaining the degree would force them out of business, the operators called a total of 14 days of strike.

But consumer groups hailed the decree, saying it would save an average of 550 euros per year for each family.

Source: Xinhua