Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni
on Tuesday expressed Italy's support for France after reports a
priest was among at least one hostage killed by assailants at a
church near Rouen.
Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre Henry-Brandet was
quoted by BFM-TV as saying a hostage was fighting for their
life.
The Le Point website reported that there were two victims
- the priest, 86-year-old Jacques Hamel, and a worshipper.
A police officer was injured in the operation to kill the
two attackers, Le Point said, adding that the assailants shouted
"Daesh".
Two nuns and another worshipper were reported to be among
the hostages.
"We express our closeness to a France that could again be
under attack," Gentiloni told a joint hearing of parliament's
defence and foreign affairs committees.
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