Berlusconi assures inquiry not over yet

Premier Silvio Berlusconi assured Parliament yesterday that the United States-led probe into the killing of an Italian intelligence agent in Iraq is not over.

Amid an outcry over reports that the Americans were absolving US soldiers of any blame in the friendly fire shooting, Berlusconi apologised for what he called "an unfortunate leak" suggesting that the investigation was completed.

He spoke shortly after the US Ambassador to Italy met the Premier's top aide to see if crucial differences over the investigation could be worked out.

Italian officials who participated in the investigation have not signed off on the report's conclusions.