Europe opens its arms _ mostly _ to Iranian leader Rouhani

Rouhani is looking to rebuild Iranian relations with the West some two weeks after financial sanctions on Tehran were rolled back following the implementation of its nuclear deal with world powers.

While tourists were cleared from the Colosseum complex when U.S. President Barack Obama visited a year ago, sightseers milled about as usual while Rouhani took his tour. In this photo taken on Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, wooden panels cover statues inside the Rome’s Capitoline Museums.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani invited American businessmen to join their European counterparts in investing in Iran as he wrapped up three days of multi-billion dollar deal-making in Italy by saying the lifting of European sanctions had opened a new era of “win-win” collaboration.

Before going to the Vatican, Rouhani told a forum of business leaders in Rome that “Iran is the safest and most stable country of the entire region”.

Mr Renzi’s office has declined to comment on the museum’s allegation that the Italian PM’s office wanted the statues lining Mr Rouhani’s path to the conference covered up.

Franceschini said: “I think there easily would have been other ways to not offend an important foreign guest without this incomprehensible choice of covering up the statues”.

Iran has been rebuilding its relations with Italy and France which were among Tehran’s main economic partners before the tightening of worldwide sanctions in January 2012.

Rome’s Jewish community slammed a visit to Italy by the president of Iran, particularly as it came just ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Some Italian politicians decried the “cultural submission” implied in Italy’s gesture.

“I know that Italians are a very hospitable people, a people who try to do the most to put their guests at ease, and I thank you for this”, Rouhani said during his trip, according to The Associated Press.

Although many sanctions relating to Iran’s nuclear programme have been lifted, most US measures remain in place.

Rouhani told reporters that he and Pope Francis discussed the need for religious leaders to speak out against extremism and terrorism during their audience Tuesday.

“It’s possible, but the key is in Washington, not in Tehran”, he said.

Rouhani said Saudi was acting out of frustration, branding its 10-month military campaign in Yemen against the Houthi militia, who are allied to Iran, as a flop.

Francis was asked previous year about the Charlie Hebdo attacks and suggested that a violent reaction could be expected when someone’s faith was insulted.

Rouhani concurred, saying “freedom of expression doesn’t mean that people can do what they want”.