The Italian ambassador to Egypt will remain in Rome for the time being as there is tension between the two countries following the murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in late February, the foreign minister said.

Italy appointed Giampaolo Cantini as the new ambassador to Egypt on 11 May, but he has not been sent to Cairo to assume his position.

In a statement, Italy’s Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said: “The government recalled the ambassador two months ago and this decision has not changed.”

“It’s a very serious initiative that I don’t think has a precedent. For the moment we are sticking with this decision.”

Italy recalled its ambassador to Egypt in April for consultations after Cairo refused to submit information considered important and necessary for solving the mystery of Regini’s murder.

Related: Italian MPs request formation of inquiry committee to investigate murder of student in Cairo.

Source: middleeastmonitor.com