A number of Iranian students rallied in front of the Italian embassy in Tehran on Thursday to demonstrate against Rome's pro-Israel stance, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The protest came shortly before a scheduled gathering which will be attended by some Italian party leaders and state officials in support of the Israeli government before the Iranian embassy in Rome later on Thursday.

The protestors also expressed their support to the Palestinians and opposition to the Israeli government, shouting slogans such as "Down with US", "Down with Israel" and "Palestine, Palestine, We support You", the report said.

Some prominent Italian officials reportedly decided to participate in the demonstration in Rome to protest the remarks by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Israel should be "wiped off the map."

Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini has also condemned Ahmadinejad's words and called for referring Iran's nuclear case to the United Nations Security Council.

But he pulled out of the planned demonstration, saying he feared his presence at the rally might endanger the security of Italians living in Iran.

On Wednesday, Tehran summoned the Italian ambassador to protest the planned rally and denounced Fini's comments.

Source: Xinhua