The Italian government has lost a key vote in its upper house of parliament on the country's foreign policy.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has called a special cabinet meeting after losing a crucial vote in the Senate on the country's foreign policy.
The Senate, where Prime Minister Romano Prodi's coalition holds a one-seat majority, voted against the government, prompting calls for its resignation.
His foreign minister had earlier said the government could resign if it lost.
Italy's foreign minister had said that the government should step down if the motion was not approved, saying it was a crucial test of government unity.
Several parties in Mr Prodi's coalition oppose Italy's deployment of 2,000 troops in Afghanistan and plans to expand a US airbase in northern Italy.
Coalition leaders are holding crisis talks in the prime minister's office.
Mr Prodi, whose government has only a one-seat Senate majority, is to make a statement to the cabinet shortly.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has cut short a trip to Bologna to return to Rome for talks with Mr Prodi.
Dramatic scenes
Dramatic scenes
The announcement of the result was met by shouts of "resign! resign!" by right-wing senators. The sitting was suspended shortly afterwards.
The announcement of the result of the vote was met by shouts of "resign! resign!" by right-wing senators. The sitting was suspended shortly afterwards.
Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema had urged senators to approve the motion, saying unity was crucial for Italy to retain its place on the world stage.
To be consistent, the government must now resign Senator Roberto Calderoli Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema had urged senators to approve the motion - which is non-binding - saying unity was crucial for Italy to retain its place on the world stage.
To be consistent, the government must now resign Senator Roberto Calderoli
"I say it loud and clear, this is what we need [...] and we are asked here to request this consensus."
"I say it loud and clear, this is what we need [...] and we are asked here to request this consensus."
The motion asked the senate to approve the government's foreign policy, a policy which it said was inspired by a repudiation of war and respect for the role of the EU, UN and international alliances.
The motion asked the senate to approve the government's foreign policy, a policy which it said was inspired by a repudiation of war and respect for the role of the EU, UN and international alliances.
A large number of senators decided to abstain from the vote.
A large number of senators decided to abstain from the vote.
"To be consistent, the government must now resign," opposition senator Roberto Calderoli said after the result.
"To be consistent, the government must now resign," opposition senator Roberto Calderoli said after the result.
Double trouble
Double trouble
Analysts say that the outcome reveals the fragility of Mr Prodi's grip on power, coming just weeks after two Communist and one Green minister walked out of a cabinet vote on Afghanistan.
Analysts say that the outcome reveals the fragility of Mr Prodi's grip on power, coming just weeks after two Communist and one Green minister walked out of a cabinet vote on Afghanistan.
The twin issues of the continued funding of troop deployment in Afghanistan, where Italy has some 1,900 soldiers, and the expansion of a US airbase in the north-eastern city of Vicenza have sparked fierce debate in Italy.
The twin issues of the continued funding of troop deployment in Afghanistan, where Italy has some 1,900 soldiers, and the expansion of a US airbase in the north-eastern city of Vicenza have sparked fierce debate in Italy.
Last week, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Vicenza in protest at the plans, which were approved by Mr Prodi's predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi.
Last week, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Vicenza in protest at the plans.
They were approved by Mr Prodi's predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi.
What do you make of this story? Should the government resign over the issue?
