Italy advises journalists to leave Iraq

Italy's embassy in Iraq has advised Italian journalists and other nationals working in the country to leave following a series of threats, an embassy official said yesterday.

"We're urging the few journalists that are still in the country to go, as well as any other Italians still here, based on some pretty specific threats that we've heard about," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The decision comes two weeks after Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena was abducted by gunmen as she conducted interviews in Baghdad.

In Brussels, Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said the warning was a precautionary measure following an escalation of the risk to their safety.

"We have again appealed to the sense of responsibility of (journalists) working in Iraq because the risk of another escalation of activity by criminal organisations who aim to kidnap journalists is a very real risk," Mr Fini said.

The embassy official in Baghdad said threats had been made against four journalists, including one working for Rome daily newspaper La Repubblica and another working for national broadcaster Tg2. Two of the four have already left the country and a third is due to leave soon.