Gentiloni says Britain remains ally

(ANSA) - Rome, June 24 - Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said Friday that Britain remained Italy's ally after voting to leave the European Union. "As everyone knows, Italy would have much preferred a different outcome, but it respects the decision," he said. "But leave means leave. Great Britain will certainly remain our friend and our ally in NATO but the decision to leave the EU has been taken and it must be followed up on".