Italy says Iran shares its view on killings in Algeria

The Italian Foreign Ministry has said that Iran's position on the continuing killings in Algeria coincides precisely with the view of Europe.

Earlier in the day, the Italian Foreign minister, Lamberto Dini, spoke by telephone on the Algerian issue with his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharazi.

News of the conversation led to a formal protest by the Algerian government, which accused Italy of interfering in its internal affairs.

Algeria has accused Iran of supporting the Islamic militants who it says are carrying out the killings.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service