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.
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.
His foreign minister had earlier said the government could resign if it lost.
His foreign minister had earlier said the government could resign if it lost.
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.
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.
Mr Prodi, whose government has only a one-seat Senate majority, is to make a statement to the cabinet shortly.
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.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano has cut short a trip to Bologna to return to Rome for talks with Mr Prodi.
More than 100 opposition supporters gathered outside Mr Prodi's offices as he met with ministers, calling for him to step down, Reuters news agency reported.
More than 100 opposition supporters gathered outside Mr Prodi's offices as he met with ministers, calling for him to step down, Reuters news agency reported.
Dramatic scenes
Dramatic scenes
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.
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.
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 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.
"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.
It received 158 votes in favour, just short of the majority of 160 needed for approval, while 136 members of the conservative opposition voted against the motion.
It received 158 votes in favour, just short of the majority of 160 needed for approval, while 136 members of the conservative opposition voted against the motion.
Some 24 senators decided to abstain from the vote.
Some 24 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.
Justice Minister Clement Clemente Mastella said the government could call a confidence vote in both houses of parliament in order to review the coalition's level of support.
Justice Minister Clement Clemente Mastella said the government could call a confidence vote in both houses of parliament in order to review the coalition's level of support.
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.
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.
They were approved by Mr Prodi's predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi.
What do you make of this story? Should the government resign over the issue?
