A GENERAL who commanded Italian forces in Somalia yesterday condemned what he said was an attempt to discredit the army with claims that Italian soldiers tortured Somali prisoners.
Mr Carmine Fiore, who resigned at the weekend over the allegations, denounced the publication of photographs in the press showing troops apparently engaged in acts of torture and sexual abuse. He also denied claims by a former Italian paratrooper that troons had shot at Somalis "for fun".
"I think there is a definite attempt to discredit the Italian mission in Somalia and the army and also an attempt by certain people to make money out of this business, he said in Rome.
Mr Fiore commanded the Italian soldiers taking part in Operation Restore Hope during 1993-94. He and another general have resigned "to facilitate and speed up verifications in course".
Last Friday the Prime Minister, Mr Romano Prodi, promised a "complete, open and quick" inquiry.