Italy approves anti-terror steps

It is feared Italy may be the next European country to be hit

The upper house of the Italian parliament has approved new measures to combat the threat of terrorist attack.

They include surveillance of the internet and phone networks and making it easier to detain suspects.

Those who hide their features from the public - including through wearing the Islamic burqa - also face punishment.

The lower house must pass the bill before it becomes law. A number of Western countries have introduced extra measures after the London bombs.

'Good day'

The package of extra measures approved overwhelmingly by Italy's Senate includes:

• doubling to 24 hours the time suspects can be kept in custody without charge

• interrogating suspects without lawyers present

• strengthening of measures to prevent terrorists from financing their operations

• increasing penalties for carrying false documents

• compiling lists of mobile phone users to help police investigating suspected terrorist crime

• up to two years in prison and a 2,000 euro (£1,379 or $2,424) fine for anyone who purposely hides their features by covering their faces in public.

Interior Minister Giuseppe Pisanu said after the vote that "today surely is a good day in the war against terrorism".

This is the best encouragement that the Senate could give to all the men and women who work daily for our safety Giuseppe Pisanu Italian Interior Minister

"This is the best encouragement that the Senate could give to all the men and women who work daily for our safety," Mr Pisanu said.

There are growing fears that Italy could be the next target in Europe, but Mr Pisanu said on Thursday the authorities had no specific evidence of a strike.

"Converging circumstances and clues lead us to believe that an attack in our country is possible," Mr Pisanu told senators.

About 13,000 sites around the country are being guarded against possible terrorist attack, including public buildings, embassies, ports, railway stations and the Vatican.

Italy has received several threats from Islamic extremists because of its support of the US-led war in Iraq.