Italy minister says Iran statue cover-up ‘incomprehensible’

The Iranian opposition is expected to hold a human rights demonstration in Paris to coincide with his visit.

“We can only hope that renewed ties with the West will influence Iranian society to the point that the regime as well will abandon its hostility toward Israel and its ties to terror organizations”, he said, adding that Rouhani’s visit to Europe and the message of renewing relations with the worldwide community would assist the Iranian president in the upcoming parliamentarian elections in Iran, scheduled for February.

Nude statues at an Italian museum were reportedly covered up to avoid offending Italy’s controversial new business partner.

Several agreements are due to be announced after a meeting with President Francois Hollande.

After Rome, Rouhani heads to Paris. Bodyguards, however, kept them at a distance from the Iranian leader and his delegation.

The Codacons consumer association said whoever made a decision to cover up the statues should be sacked.

Last week, nude statues were covered up in Rome during Rouhani’s state visit to Italy. “There are many other ways of respecting the sensitivities of an important foreign visitor”, tweeted Franceschini.

While Rouhani and Pope Francis did discuss religious freedom, it doesn’t seem like much came out it.

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.

When told by a reporter that a Saudi official is seeking Iran’s apology, Rouhani asked if Iran should have apologized “when they beheaded Sheikh Nimr”.

Larcher welcomed the visit of the Iranian president to France and said that Paris sees a bright future before Iran and France for increasing their relations.

The nude cover-up made world headlines worldwide and prompted astonishment and ridicule within Italy.

“All they had to do, if they wanted to respect the modesty and morality of President Rouhani and the Iranian people, was change the itinerary”, the caucuses said in a statement. “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”, he said.

Hee Kyoung Yoo, left, of Seoul, and her daughter Jeong Hyo Kim admire a marble statue of Dionysus at the Capitoline museum, in Rome, on Tuesday.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has been on a tour of Europe, signing billions of pounds worth of business deals with different nations, after economic sanctions against the country were lifted.

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

Rouhani is on a five-day visit to Italy and France.