The Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, has said that the Kurdish rebel leader, Abulllah Ocalan, should not be granted political asylum.

Quoted in a newspaper article, Mr Dini said political asylum would be inappropriate in the case of Mr Ocalan, who is wanted in Turkey and Germany on charges of murder and terrorist acts.

The case of Mr Ocalan has sparked a bitter row between Italy and Turkey, with Ankara threatening a trade embargo unless he is handed over.

The Italian constitution bars extradition to countries which retain the death penalty.