Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been hit in the face and knocked to the ground after a political rally in Milan.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been hit in the face and knocked to the ground after a political rally in Milan.
Pictures showed Mr Berlusconi, 73, with a badly cut lip and blood on his cheek and chin. A man has been arrested.
Pictures showed Mr Berlusconi, 73, with a badly cut lip and blood on his cheek and chin. A man has been arrested.
The prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right.
The prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right.
Reports suggested he had either been punched or hit with an object.
Reports suggested he had either been punched or hit with an object.
He was taken to a hospital in Milan after the attack. The Italian news agency Ansa said he was to stay under observation for 24 hours, but there was no immediate report on the extent of his injuries.
He was taken to a hospital in Milan after the attack. The Italian news agency Ansa said he was to stay under observation for 24 hours, but there was no immediate report on the extent of his injuries.
Scuffles
Scuffles
Mr Berlusconi had been greeting supporters in a square in Milan when the assault took place.
Mr Berlusconi had been greeting supporters in a square in Milan when the assault took place.
According to Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, a small group of protesters were shouting slogans and whistling during the rally.
According to Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, a small group of protesters were shouting slogans and whistling during the rally.
There were reported to have been scuffles between the hecklers and security staff.
There were reported to have been scuffles between the hecklers and security staff.
During the gathering he told supporters: "They paint me as a monster, but I don't think I am one - firstly because I am good-looking and secondly because I'm a decent chap".
During the gathering he told supporters: "They paint me as a monster, but I don't think I am one - firstly because I am good-looking and secondly because I'm a decent chap".
The incident will prompt questions about Mr Berlusconi's security arrangements, says the BBC's Duncan Kennedy in Rome.
But he is a gregarious man who likes to mingle with crowds, he adds.
He is also a divisive figure who attracts intense loyalty from some and utter disdain from others.
Mr Berlusconi has been under pressure in recent months.
Mr Berlusconi has been under pressure in recent months.
His private life has been in the spotlight, amid allegations that he slept with prostitutes, and after his wife filed for divorce.
His private life has been in the spotlight, amid allegations that he slept with prostitutes, and after his wife filed for divorce.
He has dismissed accusations of ties to the Mafia, and criminal cases against him have resumed after a law giving him immunity was overturned.
He has dismissed accusations of ties to the Mafia, and criminal cases against him have resumed after a law giving him immunity was overturned.
A week ago tens of thousands of people attended an anti-Berlusconi rally in Rome.
A week ago tens of thousands of people attended an anti-Berlusconi rally in Rome.
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