ROME, Nov. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Italians lined the streets of Rome on Tuesday, a national day of mourning, to bid a final farewell tothe 19 victims of the suicide bombing attack in Iraq.

   The flag-draped coffins of the victims were placed on army trucks and slowly driven from the Victor Emmanuel monument to St.Paul's Basilica where preparations for a state funeral were underway.

   Thousands of Italians lined the way, throwing flowers as wellas messages of grief to the passing cortege.

   Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and Prime MinisterSilvio Berlusconi flanked the grieving relatives who led themourning procession.

   Italy lost 17 military people and two civilians in the bombattack last Wednesday on the headquarters at the Italian Carabinieri base in the southern city of Nasiriyah. Nine Iraqis were also killed.

   The attack caused the greatest single loss of life among Italian forces since the end of World War II. But Berlusconi hassaid Italy "will not be intimidated", and the 2,715 Italian troops serving in Iraq will remain there.  Enditem