ROME, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Italy faced pressure on Friday

to explain its relationship with Israeli spyware maker Paragon

following reports that the company had cut ties with Rome over

allegations that the government had used its technology to hack

the phones of critics instead of criminals.

"The Paragon scandal cannot simply be brushed aside ...

Those who are responsible must be held accountable," said former

prime minister Matteo Renzi.

After Meta's WhatsApp chat service revealed last week that

Paragon spyware had targeted scores of its users, two Italians

critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni - a journalist and a

human rights activist - announced that they had been impacted.

Responding to these claims, Italy's government said on

Wednesday that seven mobile phone users in the country had been

targeted by the spyware, which is intended for use on criminals.

It denied any involvement in the illicit hack and called for an

investigation.

However, the Guardian and Haaretz newspapers reported on

Thursday that Paragon had cut ties with Italy, allegedly because

it did not believe the government denial.

Paragon, which works exclusively with state entities, and

its owner, Florida investment group AE Industrial Partners, did

not immediately respond to emails about the reports.

Meloni's office reiterated its statement from Wednesday.

However, opposition politicians demanded more information,

accusing the government of concealing the truth.

"The Paragon affair seems to be an extremely serious matter.

The government must provide clarification ... it cannot bury its

head in the sand on this," said Elly Schlein, leader of the

largest opposition group, the Democratic Party.

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini suggested on

Friday that a "settling scores within the intelligence services"

might have been to blame for the misuse of the spyware.

However, he later rowed back on this comment, claiming he

had no knowledge of the incident and was referring to other

recent news involving spy agencies.