ROME, April 8: A small jet sent to Rome to pick up Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski after the funeral of Pope John Paul was intercepted by an Italian fighter plane following reports that it had a bomb on board.

No bomb was found on the business jet-type Learjet which was originally headed to Rome’s Ciampino airport and escorted to Pratica di Mare military base near the Italian capital, where it was searched.

Italy’s Ansa news agency earlier quoted the air force chief as saying intelligence reports indicated that a bomb was on board the aircraft.

The plane later left Pratica di Mare for Ciampino, where Mr Crvenkovski and five other people were to embark to return to Skopje.—AFP