Italian President Sergio Mattarella
has sent a message to his US counterpart Joe Biden after at
least 15 people were killed and dozens injured when a pickup
truck plowed into a crowd in downtown New Orleans on New Year's
Day in an attack described as an "act of terrorism" by the FBI.
"I have learned with dismay about the vile attack that caused
many victims and wounded in the city of New Orleans.
"The Italian population participates in the mourning of those
who lost their dear ones and hopes for the prompt recovery of
the wounded", the president wrote.
"In this moment of pain for the American people, I care about
reaffirming the decided intention of the Italian Republic of
fighting in the most firm manner any form of terrorism, on the
basis of those values of civility, democracy and respect for
human life that have always been shared with the United States.
Mattarella expressed his own and the Italian Republic's "deepest
condolences" to Biden "in a spirit of closeness and while
waiting to welcome you in Rome".
Biden and First Lady Jill will be in Rome from January 9 to
January 12 to meet with Pope Francis, President Sergio
Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni.
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