Rome Correspondent Orla Guerin: Italy is looking to Germany for a solution

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 terrorism.

"We are talking about terrorist acts committed voluntarily. We are not dealing with a victim," he said.

Mr Dini said Italy should explore the possibility of having him tried in another country under the Council of Europe conventions on terrorism.

Mr Ocalan: Has offered to negotiate a deal with Turkey

Italy has refused to hand Mr Ocalan to Turkey because the Italian constitution bars extradition to countries which retain the death penalty.

Its refusal has infuriated Ankara, and the Turkish Government has threatened a trade embargo unless he is handed over.

BBC Rome Correspondent Orla Guerin says Italy is anxiously looking for a way out of the Ocalan affair.

However, the final decision does not rest with Mr Dini. The case is being examined by an Italian interior ministry commission, and is expected to take several months.

Peace offerings

In another sign that the two countries are trying to prevent the dispute breaking down relations completely, Turkish Sports Minister Yucel Seckiner has invited his Italian counterpart, Giovanna Melandri, to attend a football match between a Turkish and an Italian team in Istanbul next week.

The European Champions League match between Italian side Juventus and Turkey's Galatasaray was earlier postponed because of the row.