The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has protested strongly to the US ambassador in Rome about the fatal shooting by US soldiers of an Italian security agent and the wounding of an Italian journalist who had been held hostage in Iraq.
Mr Berlusconi had summoned the ambassador.
The US President, George W Bush, has had talks with Mr Berlusconi and promised a full investigation.
The agent, Nicola Calipari, had helped to free the journalist, Giuliana Sgrena; they were fired upon by American forces while en route to Baghdad airport.
Ms Sgrena arrived back in Rome earlier today on a special flight.
She was released yesterday but was then wounded when American forces fired on her car as it travelled to Baghdad airport.
The 56-year-old journalist, who was held hostage for a month, was hit in the shoulder when US troops at a checkpoint opened fire on the convoy taking her to Baghdad airport.
Mr Capilari, 51, was killed when he threw himself in front of her to protect her from the bullets.
The US has promised a full investigation into the killing of Mr Capilari by its forces.
US troops fired on the car in which they were travelling as it sped through a checkpoint.
Ms Sgrena was wounded and underwent surgery to have shrapnel removed from her collarbone.
A second agent travelling with the two is still in a serious condition.
