Rome: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez said during a trip to the Vatican on Saturday she had received threats by the Islamic State due to her friendship with compatriot Pope Francis and for recognizing both Israel and Palestine.
Fernandez said the Security Ministry and intelligence services were now dealing with the threat by Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim extremist group which has exploited the chaos of Syria and Iraq to seize swathes of territory in both countries.
"The complaint made by two police officers was because Islamic State threats had appeared against me," Fernandez told reporters at Rome's Ciampino airport after meeting Francis for lunch. She dismissed the threats, saying if she focussed on such menaces she "would have to live under the bed".
Islamic State fighters have declared war on the West and seek to establish a caliphate in the heart of the Middle East.
Last month the pope, who has often condemned the concept of war in God's name, said it would be legitimate for the international community to use force to stop "unjust aggression" by Islamic State militants who have killed or displaced thousands of people in Iraq and Syria, many of them Christians.
Fernandez and Francis, who have met several times since his election as pope, had tense relations when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. But Fernandez posted a photograph on Facebook on Saturday of herself with the pope in front of a picture of Argentina's fondly-remembered late first lady Eva Peron.
"We discussed (with the pope) the fact ... we defend things that upset some people," said Fernandez.
Fernandez and Francis also talked about the global financial system and Argentina's economy over lunch.
Fernandez said the Security Ministry and intelligence services were now dealing with the threat by Islamic State, a Sunni Muslim extremist group which has exploited the chaos of Syria and Iraq to seize swathes of territory in both countries.
"The complaint made by two police officers was because Islamic State threats had appeared against me," Fernandez told reporters at Rome's Ciampino airport after meeting Francis for lunch. She dismissed the threats, saying if she focussed on such menaces she "would have to live under the bed".
Last month the pope, who has often condemned the concept of war in God's name, said it would be legitimate for the international community to use force to stop "unjust aggression" by Islamic State militants who have killed or displaced thousands of people in Iraq and Syria, many of them Christians.
Advertisement
"We discussed (with the pope) the fact ... we defend things that upset some people," said Fernandez.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2014
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Confirms Sharing Intel To Prevent Attack At Taylor Swift's Vienna Concert Metal Rod Foils Repetition of Argentina's 'Heist Of The Century' Dostoevsky To Proust, Pope Francis Lists His Favourite Authors "Mamata Banerjee Misleading Public, Should Resign": Nirbhaya's Mother Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests Villagers Try To Drive Away Elephant With Spiked Rods, Fireballs. It Dies Donald Trump Says He Is "Much Better Looking" Than Rival Kamala Harris "Avoid Giving Night Duties To Women Doctors": Bengal After Kolkata Horror Kamala Harris Bets America Is Ready To Have Its 1st Black Woman President Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.