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Italians mourn Afghanistan dead Italians mourn Afghanistan dead
(about 1 hour 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 attended the ceremony with the victims' families.
A minute's silence will be held in schools and public buildings. Flags are flying at half mast. Thousands applauded outside the church, as comrades of the fallen men carried their coffins to and from the service.
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. Military flypast
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 attended the funeral, at Rome's Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.
Four servicemen wounded in the same attack are also present. The deaths have stunned the Italian public
The ceremony is being carried live on state and private TV channels. Four servicemen wounded in the same attack were also present.
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 ceremony was carried live on state and private TV channels.
In a message of condolences read out at the beginning of the ceremony, Pope Benedict XVI said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack, and prayed for God's support for "those who work every day to build solidarity, reconciliation and peace". Mourners, many waving the Italian tricolour flag, clapped as the coffins arrived on military lorries and were carried by fellow soldiers into and out of the church.
The soldiers' bodies will later be taken for private burials in cemeteries across Italy. In a message of condolence read out at the beginning of the ceremony, Pope Benedict XVI said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack, and prayed for God's support for "those who work every day to build solidarity, reconciliation and peace".
The soldiers' chaplin paid tribute to the six men in turn.
To end the funeral, military aircraft flew past in formation trailing the national colours of green, white and red.
Afterwards, the soldiers' bodies were taken away 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.