Italy’s foreign minister said Tuesday that his government will evaluate any U.S. request to allow use of a Sicilian air base in the campaign of airstrikes against an Islamic State group stronghold in Libya.

Paolo Gentiloni said on state television that use of the Sigonella base would be considered “if requested” and Parliament would be informed of any decision.

Targeted U.S. air strikes against Islamic State group militants in their stronghold of Sirte, a Libyan coastal city, began on Monday.

“I believe that it’s a very positive fact” that the Americans have decided to intervene, Gentiloni said. He noted that the extremists were concentrated in four or five compounds, but said it won’t be easy to eradicate them.