Italy announces plan to fight mafia

The Italian government on Friday appointed the country's top police officers to lead an all-out war on the Calabrian mafia, or 'Ndrangheta, according to Italian News Agency ANSA.

The Italian cabinet also approved a plan for a six-pronged offensive against the powerful crime syndicate, considered to be responsible for the murder of an important local politician two weeks ago.

"This is not a temporary response," said Italian Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu. "It is ambitious, regards the whole of Calabria and is destined to last a long time."

"The fight won't be short or easy," he added.

The job of directing the battle against the 'Ndrangheta was given to Italy's deputy police chief Luigi De Sena, who was appointed prefect of the Calabrian capital, Reggio Calabria, with special powers.