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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Italians mourn Afghanistan dead | Italians mourn Afghanistan dead |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Italy is holding a day of mourning for six soldiers killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan last week, with a state funeral taking place in Rome. | Italy is holding a day of mourning for six soldiers killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan last week, with a state funeral taking place in Rome. |
| Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other political leaders joined the victims' families for the ceremony. | Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other political leaders joined the victims' families for the ceremony. |
| A minute's silence will be held in schools and public buildings. Flags are flying at half mast. | A minute's silence will be held in schools and public buildings. Flags are flying at half mast. |
| The deaths, Italy's single biggest loss of life in the war, have prompted a debate about the mission's future. | The deaths, Italy's single biggest loss of life in the war, have prompted a debate about the mission's future. |
| The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome says the deaths have made a powerful impact on Italy, with extensive coverage in newspapers and on television. | The BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome says the deaths have made a powerful impact on Italy, with extensive coverage in newspapers and on television. |
| Thousands have been paying their respects as the bodies lay in state after being returned on Sunday. | Thousands have been paying their respects as the bodies lay in state after being returned on Sunday. |
| Mr Berlusconi, President Giorgio Napolitano, members of the armed forces and leaders of major political parties are at the funeral, at Rome's Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. | Mr Berlusconi, President Giorgio Napolitano, members of the armed forces and leaders of major political parties are at the funeral, at Rome's Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls. |
| The ceremony is being carried live on state and private TV channels. | |
| Mourners, many waving the Italian tricolour flag, clapped as the coffins arrived on military lorries and were carried by fellow soldiers into the church. | Mourners, many waving the Italian tricolour flag, clapped as the coffins arrived on military lorries and were carried by fellow soldiers into the church. |
| The soldiers' bodies will later be taken for private burials in cemeteries across Italy. | The soldiers' bodies will later be taken for private burials in cemeteries across Italy. |
| There are now more than 3,000 Italian soldiers in Afghanistan, mostly in the capital, Kabul, and the western area of Herat. | There are now more than 3,000 Italian soldiers in Afghanistan, mostly in the capital, Kabul, and the western area of Herat. |
| Some political parties have called for their withdrawal but last week Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the troops must remain despite the high price Italy is paying. | Some political parties have called for their withdrawal but last week Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the troops must remain despite the high price Italy is paying. |