Thousands mourn Calipari

2005-03-06 21:32

Rome - Thousands of Italians on Sunday silently filed past the coffin of slain hostage negotiator Nicola Calipari at his lying-in-state at Rome's Vittoriano war monument.

By nightfall, hundreds more were still lining up outside the building to pay their respects to Italy's top intelligence officer in Iraq, killed Friday in Baghdad when US troops opened fire on a convoy taking freed hostage Giuliana Sgrena to safety.

Many laid floral tributes on the steps outside the building. They included one from staff at Sgrena's newspaper Il Manifesto.

"It does one good to see that there are still people who will sacrifice themselves to save another person," said one mourner, who gave her name only as Carla.

Earlier on Sunday, hundreds of Romans had applauded as Calipari's coffin, wrapped in the Italian flag, was borne inside the building.

Sgrena, wounded in the shoulder, has credited him with saving her life. Italy's President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi has hailed Calipari as "a hero" and said he would be posthumously awarded the country's highest award for bravery.

Calipari is to be laid to rest on Monday after a state funeral which will be broadcast live on Italian state television.

- SAPA