As Italy mourns the first of its soldiers to die in combat since November in Iraq, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is coming under increasing pressure to withdraw Italian troops from the country. Corporal Matteo Vanzan died on Monday after clashes at the weekend in the southern city of Nassiriya. Five others were wounded in the gun battle with Shi'ite militiamen. Berlusconi says Italy remains committed to its mission in Iraq but he is urging the White House to consider a greater role for the UN. After meeting the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, the Italian leader headed for Washington for talks with President George W.Bush. He said the UN should oversee the selection of the new Iraqi authority which will take over from the current US-backed Governing Council on June 30. Berlusconi has been one of Bush's strongest allies over Iraq. But the Italian opposition and even some within the ruling coalition have been stepping up calls for their forces to be brought home. **PHOTO CAPTION*** George W. Bush (r) and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi stand together on stage at the Sons of Italy Foundation annual awards ceremony dinner in Washington, May 19, 2004. (REUTERS)