Italian police are reportedly investigating a possible plot against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after phone taps of suspected Islamic extremists suggested they might be planning an attack.
Security has been stepped up around Mr Berlusconi and his family while police investigate the two Somali men whose conversation was overheard, the daily newspaper Corriere della Serasaid, without identifying its sources.
The department of public security and the prime minister's office declined to comment.
Italy has been on high alert since last month when 19 Italians were killed by suicide bombers at a military police base in the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya. Security was further increased ahead of Christmas.
According to the article today, the two Somalis were already under surveillance and their telephones tapped as part of ongoing investigations of suspected Islamic extremists when police overheard references to an attack on Mr Berlusconi.
The conversation was not detailed by the newspaper, which said it was not clear if the Somalis were talking about a definite plan to attack Mr Berlusconi, their desire to attack him or just generally aggressive remarks about him.
Italy has arrested 71 people in 2003 on suspicion of links to "terrorist" organisations. It has also deported seven people the government considered a threat to public safety.