Italian PM comments on Black Lives Matter protests in US

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte says Italy is watching closely, and with concern, as Black Lives Matter protests target American cities, particularly while U.S. is dealing with coronavirus pandemic.

Conte was asked at a news conference on Sunday to comment on killing of George Floyd by a white policeman in Minneapolis and protests that have erupted in aftermath.

Conte said protests had "touched raw nerve of racial discrimination in American society," while reflecting on problems of inequality, suffering and marginalization among certain facets of population.

He said violent protests "are never admissible" and that Italy respects internal matters of its longtime ally.