Complex absorption hides a type II QSO in IRAS 13197-1627

We report on the analysis of a BeppoSAX observation of IRAS 13197-1627. The complexity of the broad band (0.3-100 keV) spectrum of the source prevents us from selecting from two possible best-fit models, i.e. one based on a partial covering and the other on a reflection dominated scenario. Whatever the best fit model, the data imply that: 1) the primary spectrum is heavily obscured by at least two absorbers with column densities of the order of 5x10(23) cm(-2) and greater than or equal to2x10(24) cm(-2); 2) the intrinsic 2-10 keV luminosity of the source is at least similar to2x10(44) erg s(-1) thus making IRAS 13197-1627 a type-II QSO (more precisely a type 1.8 QSO) rather than a Seyfert 1.8 galaxy as previously classified. Furthermore, there is marginal evidence of an absorption line at Esimilar to7.5 keV suggesting a possible outflow with vsimilar to0.1c similar to recent findings on other QSOs and Seyferts.