Italy calls for explanation of British raid in Nigeria

A diplomatic dispute broke out between London and Rome yesterday over Britain's failure to inform the Italian government before launching a botched hostage rescue mission in Nigeria. The raid resulted in the deaths of Briton Chris McManus and Italian Franco Lamolinara, who had been kidnapped last May.

President Giorgio Napolitano called the decision to proceed with the rescue attempt without informing the Italian government “inexplicable.”

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the decision had been made quickly, because the hostages had been in imminent danger.

"We were able to inform the Italian government as the operation got under way but not to do more than that," Hague said.

"I think everyone understands the constraints involved, the rapid timing involved in a case like this."

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