Italy hides ancient museum nudes from Iranian president
ROME - A decision by Italian officials to cover up ancient nude statues to not offend Iran's visiting president is drawing ridicule in Rome.
Ahead of a news conference Monday with Premier Matteo Renzi and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, wooden panels were erected around some Roman statues in Rome's Capitoline Museums.
When images of the cover-up made the Italian media Tuesday, politicians from across the spectrum decried and derided the decision.
The museum said Tuesday that the premier's office wanted the statues along Rouhani's path to the news conference covered up. Renzi's office declined to comment.
