Italy denies asking for Leon to stay on

(ANSA) - Rome, October 2 - The Italian foreign ministry on Friday denied press reports that Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni had asked for UN Libya envoy Bernardino Leon to be given a second term.
    "The end of Bernardino Leon's term was always scheduled and the choice of his successor took place over two months ago," the ministry said in a statement.
    "Contrary to what appears in some newspapers, there has not been, nor could there ever have been, any Italian request to confirm Leon and there will obviously be total collaboration with his successor," it said.