Italy minister: Statue cover-up incomprehensible

Rouhani’s visit to Rome marks the first European trip by an Iranian president for 16 years and follows the lifting of economic sanctions against the country after the recent nuclear deal.

The museum said Tuesday that the premier’s office wanted the statues along Rouhani’s path to the news conference covered up.

The decision came ahead of a Monday press conference in which Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Rouhani both gave speeches at the museum, in front of a large statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback.

The ancient naked statues were hidden from the Iranian president’s view during his official visit to Rome.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani meets Italian President Sergio Mattarella, right, upon his arrival at the Quirinale Presidential palace, in Rome, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016.

Rouhani then visited the Vatican for the first time and met Pope Francis, who has urged Iran to work for peace in the Middle East. The Vatican meeting was a key part of an Iranian effort to take a more prominent place on the world stage after a nuclear deal with Western powers.

According to media reports, France has baulked at making a similar placatory gesture, leaving diplomats preparing for Rouhani s visit to Paris from Wednesday with a major protocol headache.

A day after meeting with Pope Francis, Rouhani also said freedom of expression did not extend to insulting other people’s faith.

Others protested the censorship in the age-old fashion of drawing cartoons, arguing that “when in Rome”, Rouhani ought to accept local customs or avert his own gaze.

The visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Italy is expected to trigger the expansion of bilateral relations between Italy and Iran.

Rouhani told a forum of busness leaders in Rome that his country is now the safest and most stable in the region.

At Iran’s request Italy also ditched its wine list at a ceremonial dinner.

Earlier this week Iran and Italy signed deals worth up to $18 billion, which included agreements in oil exploration, agriculture, infrastructure development and automobiles.