Times (British daily)– June 2, 2008 (excerpts): There is also controversy over the presence of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad of Iran at the summit, which opens tomorrow at the palatial FAO building near the Circus Maximus, once the Fascist era ministry for Italy’s African colonies. The Iranian leader’s presence poses an embarrassing dilemma not only for the Vatican but also for the centre Right government of Silvio Berlusconi.
The Berlusconi government is close to Washington and shares US opposition to Iranian nuclear plans, as well as its condemnation of Mr Ahamdinejad’s stated desire to wipe Israel off the map. Italian officials said there no plans for the Iranian leader to meet Silvio Berlusconi, the Prime Minister.
After days of agonized diplomatic maneuvering over whether Pope Benedict XVI should meet Mr Ahamdinejad, the Vatican at the weekend hit on a face saving solution: the pontiff would meet no-one at all.

Also Aljazeera TV reported on June 3: Today the UN annual meeting for world’s food crisis will be held in Rome in which the leaders from more than 40 countries will take part.
Iran’s president is also supposed to participate in this meeting; this issue has caused a controversy. He was not invited to the banquet usually held on the eve of big international conferences. There is also a demonstration here which is said to be held by the Iranian Resistance. Also, pro-Israel groups staged a demonstration in protest to the presence of Iran’s presence.