WASHINGTON, April 25 (Xinhuanet) -- A US military investigation has concluded that American soldiers who killed an Italian intelligence agent at a Baghdad checkpoint last month were "not culpable", an Army official said Monday.

    The investigation concluded American soldiers generally followed instructions as they fired on the car carrying Italian intelligence officer Nicola Calipari and two others as it approached the checkpoint on March 4, the official said.

    But Italy disagrees with the findings, the official said.

    Calipari was escorting Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena to Baghdad airport after she was released by Iraqi militants when hiscar was fired upon by American soldiers. He was killed in the incident.

    American troops said after the incident that the car was speeding while approaching the checkpoint. But Sgrena, who was injured in the firing, said the car was not speedy and accused American troops of intentionally firing at them.

    The incident has caused tensions between the United States and Italy, one of its staunchest allies in the Iraqi war. Enditem