Italy approves decree to stave off bankruptcy for Rome council

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi arrives for a meeting with his Romanian counterpart Victor Ponta (not pictured) during a meeting at Chigi Palace in Rome February 28, 2014. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

ROME (Reuters) - Matteo Renzi's new Italian government on Friday approved an emergency decree to bail out Rome city council whose mayor had warned the capital would have to halt essential services unless it got financial help.

The decree transfers 570 million euros ($787 million) to the city to pay the salaries of municipal workers and ensure services such as public transport and garbage collection.