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UPDATE 1-Italy bristles at Libya warning on right-winger

Sun May 4, 2008 10:38pm IST
 
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(Adds fresh comments)

By Deepa Babington

ROME, May 4 (Reuters) - Italy's foreign minister attacked Libya's warning against appointing a far-right lawmaker to a ministerial post as "intolerable" interference in internal affairs, adding to a growing political outcry over the issue.

Italian lawmakers have been angered by a Libyan charity's warning of "catastrophic repercussions" to bilateral ties if Roberto Calderoli -- a maverick lawmaker known for his anti-Islamic rhetoric -- becomes reforms minister as expected.

"I find the interference of a foreign country on the formation of the Italian government intolerable," outgoing Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema told Italian television.

The issue now risks becoming the first diplomatic headache for Silvio Berlusconi's new government. Franco Frattini, who as the next foreign minister may have to sort out the row, also called for respect on internal decisions.

"It is up to us to understand the worries of governments and friendly people and listen to their advice," Frattini told La Repubblica daily in an interview published on Sunday. "But respecting decisions of those elected to the government by their people is a pillar of internal and international democracy."

CONCERN  Continued...

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