Give priority to kidnapped priest

(ANSA) - Rome, September 18 - Italy's embassy in Niger has formally asked local authorities to give "absolute priority" to the rapid solution of an armed group's kidnapping of Italian priest Pierluigi Maccalli, the foreign ministry in Rome said Tuesday.
    The embassy has urged the authorities to "avoid initiatives that may put at risk Father Maccalli's safety", the ministry said.
    Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi is in constant contact with the foreign ministry's crisis unit which, with other State organs, has been following Father Maccalli's case since the beginning, the ministry said.