SHAFAQNA- Italian authorities covered up naked statues exhibited at a world-famous museum in Rome for an official visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
Rouhani toured the Musei Capitolini (Capitoline Museums) – which hosts a huge collection of artefacts from the ancient, medieval and renaissance periods – accompanied by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on 25 January.
The museum’s masterpieces, all marbles depicting naked scenes had been carefully hid behind large white panels.
Wine was also banned from official receptions.
The Capitoline Museums, located on the iconic Capitoline hill, are managed by the local council.
Rouhani arrived in Rome on Monday at the head of a delegation of more than 100 businessmen and ministers on the first leg of his trip to three European destinations after Iran and the P5+1 group of countries started on January 16 to implement a nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), they reached in Vienna last July.
The visit is aimed at rebuilding economic ties, with contracts worth $18bn (£13bn) expected to be signed between Tehran and Italian firms. Rohani will leave for France on 27 January after having held talks with Renzi, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis.