David Willey reports from Rome: Kurds have gathered from all over Europe to support Abdullah Ocalan

But Mr D'Alema said Italy did not extradite to countries, which had the death penalty and would not submit to threats or pressures of any kind.

"Italy won't give in to threats, pressure or conditions of any sort," Mr D'Alema said. "Italy is a democratic country that cannot be blackmailed by anyone."

Turkish PM Mesut Yilmaz: Expects Nato ally to co-operate

The Turkish Prime Minister, Mesut Yilmaz, says his government has now drafted legislation to abolish the death penalty. Mr Yilmaz said any country that sheltered Mr Ocalan, Turkey's most wanted fugitive, could not call itself a country of justice.

Mr Ocalan, leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has asked Italy for asylum following his arrest in Rome on Thursday.

He issued a statement on Monday saying he had come to Italy to "do my part to halt terrorism".

Political commentator Sergio Romano explains the difficulties of extradition

"I have come to Italy...to create the conditions for a political solution," Mr Ocalan said in statement issued through the Italian News agency ANSA.

Many senior figures in Italy's new centre-left government have called for the PKK leader to be granted asylum.

Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Ismail Cem, who is in Rome meeting European foreign ministers, said that under international law Italy must extradite Mr Ocalan, whom he described as a terrorist criminal.

Kurdish supporters of Abdullah Ocalan demonstrate in Rome

At least 2,000 Kurds, from all over Europe, have held a second day of demonstrations in the Italian capital in support of Mr Ocalan who is reported to be on hunger strike.

The BBC's Rome Correspondent, David Willey says the demonstrating Kurds have been given permission to march through the city on Tuesday and to hold a public meeting to highlight their cause.

Extradition problems

Mr Ocalan was detained at Rome's Fiumicino airport on Thursday evening after flying in from Moscow on a false passport, according to Italian police.

Mr Dini said it was his government's duty to arrest Mr Ocalan, as both Turkey and Germany had issued arrest warrants for him.

The situation is complicated by Italy's obligations to fellow EU-member Germany, where an extradition request is reportedly being prepared.

Turkey's most wanted man

Mr Ocalan is Turkey's most wanted man. He fled abroad in 1980 after the army staged a coup and has lived in exile ever since.

He has been on the run since he was forced to leave Syria last month, after Turkey threatened to take military action against Damascus.

Last month, the Turkish Government said the PKK leader had travelled to Russia after leaving Syria.

It is still unclear why the Kurdish leader decided to leave Russia.