A suspect package found at the US embassy to the Vatican turned out to be a false alarm, police in Rome said today.
The discovery comes days after an Italian anarchist group claimed responsibility for two explosive packages sent to the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome before Christmas.
An Italian anarchist group claimed responsibility for the parcel bombs which injured two staff members who opened them in the mailroom on December 23rd.
A third device, similar to the two others, was found at the Greek embassy on Monday but did not explode.
US authorities have tightened security procedures at their embassies since the Rome parcel bombs exploded. The embassy to the Vatican is in a different part of town from the much larger US embassy to Italy.
Last week, an Italian group called the Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI) claimed responsibility for the parcel bombs at the Swiss and Chilean embassies.
The incidents have prompted concern over a possible rise in violence by domestic European militant groups, exploiting mounting social tension caused by the financial crisis and government austerity packages imposed to pay for it.
Reuters