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Berlusconi to remain in hospital Berlusconi to remain in hospital
(about 1 hour later)
Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi will stay in hospital at least until Tuesday after having his nose broken by an attacker, doctors say. Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi will not leave hospital until at least Wednesday after being injured in an attack in Milan, his doctor has said.
A medical bulletin reported in the Italian media said Mr Berlusconi was able to eat, but only with difficulty.A medical bulletin reported in the Italian media said Mr Berlusconi was able to eat, but only with difficulty.
Mr Berlusconi, 73, suffered a broken nose, two broken teeth and a cut lip after being hit with a model of Milan cathedral after a rally in the city.Mr Berlusconi, 73, suffered a broken nose, two broken teeth and a cut lip after being hit with a model of Milan cathedral after a rally in the city.
A 42-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with aggravated assault.A 42-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with aggravated assault.
The suspect, Massimo Tartaglia, was said by police to have had a history of mental illness, receiving treatment over a 10-year period.
Mr Berlusconi was reportedly hit by a model of Milan's gothic cathedralMr Berlusconi was reportedly hit by a model of Milan's gothic cathedral
The medical bulletin released at midday on Monday said Mr Berlusconi was taking pain killers and antibiotics. "He'll probably be able to leave hospital on Wednesday," his personal physician Alberto Zangrillo told Italian television.
His nose is to be reset and he has been given stitches, though he will not need surgery. He said that he would have forced the prime minister to take at least 10 days off to recover from the attack, adding that Mr Berlusconi had lost close to half a litre (one pint) of blood.
Mr Berlusconi's doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, has said it could take a few weeks for the prime minister to fully recover. According to a medical bulletin released on Monday, Mr Berlusconi is taking pain killers and antibiotics. His nose is to be reset and he has been given stitches, though he will not need surgery.
"I found him shaken, embittered, as if he had been woken from a bad dream really disheartened," he was quoted as saying. Mr Zangrillo described Mr Berlusconi as "shaken" and "embittered" following the attack.
Earlier, Italian news agency Ansa reported that Mr Berlusconi had spent a settled night at the San Raffaele hospital. "As if he had been woken from a bad dream, really disheartened," he was quoted as saying.
His first request upon waking up in the hospital in Milan was to see some newspapers, the agency said. The suspect, Massimo Tartaglia, was said by police to have had a history of mental illness, receiving treatment over a 10-year period.
The Italian leader is believed to have been struck full in the face by the souvenir cathedral while signing autographs. According to a letter released to Italian news agency, Ansa, Mr Tartaglia has apologised for the attack, writing: "I don't recognise myself," and adding that he had "acted alone [with no] form of militancy or political affiliation".
Ansa said Mr Berlusconi had spent a settled night at the San Raffaele hospital after the Sunday evening attack.
His first request upon waking up in the hospital in Milan was to see some newspapers.
The Italian leader was struck full in the face by the souvenir cathedral while signing autographs.
DazedDazed
After the attack on Sunday evening the prime minister, looking dazed, was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car. Immediately after the attack, the prime minister - looking dazed - was helped to his feet by aides and put in a car.
Italian media reaction In pictures: Attack on Berlusconi Berlusconi bloodied but unbowedItalian media reaction In pictures: Attack on Berlusconi Berlusconi bloodied but unbowed
He got out and tried to climb on the car to show he was all right, before being driven away. But he then got out of the car before being driven away.
And upon arrival at the hospital the prime minister, who had blood all over his face, said he was fine. When he arrived at the hospital the prime minister, who face was covered in blood, said he was fine.
There are said to have been scuffles between hecklers and security staff during the rally and before the attack.There are said to have been scuffles between hecklers and security staff during the rally and before the attack.
At the hospital, Mr Berlusconi's spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti said he was worried about the "atmosphere of hatred and violence in the air".At the hospital, Mr Berlusconi's spokesman, Paolo Bonaiuti said he was worried about the "atmosphere of hatred and violence in the air".
The attack on Italy's flamboyant and polarising prime minister has caused deep shock in Italy.The attack on Italy's flamboyant and polarising prime minister has caused deep shock in Italy.
A string of politicians and columnists have suggested it reflects the climate of hatred which is dividing the nation, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Milan.A string of politicians and columnists have suggested it reflects the climate of hatred which is dividing the nation, says the BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Milan.
Facebook fansFacebook fans
The attack was condemned by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, while conservative Gianfranco Fini said: "This is truly a bad day for Italy, and it's the duty of all the political forces to ensure that Italy does not go back to the years of violence."The attack was condemned by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, while conservative Gianfranco Fini said: "This is truly a bad day for Italy, and it's the duty of all the political forces to ensure that Italy does not go back to the years of violence."
TROUBLED YEAR FOR BERLUSCONI Apr: Criticised for attending birthday party of 18-year-old Noemi Letizia May: Wife Veronica Lario files for divorce July: Embroiled in politics and sex scandal involving escort Patrizia D'AddarioOct: Stripped of immunity from prosecution Nov: Trial for tax fraud resumesDec: Denies accusations of mafia links Berlusconi's annus horribilis Italian readers reactTROUBLED YEAR FOR BERLUSCONI Apr: Criticised for attending birthday party of 18-year-old Noemi Letizia May: Wife Veronica Lario files for divorce July: Embroiled in politics and sex scandal involving escort Patrizia D'AddarioOct: Stripped of immunity from prosecution Nov: Trial for tax fraud resumesDec: Denies accusations of mafia links Berlusconi's annus horribilis Italian readers react
Umberto Bossi, leader of the far-right Northern League, said what had happened was an "act of terrorism" and called the attack "a worrying sign".Umberto Bossi, leader of the far-right Northern League, said what had happened was an "act of terrorism" and called the attack "a worrying sign".
But Italy remains divided on the subject of its prime minister, who has been under pressure in recent months, adds our correspondent.But Italy remains divided on the subject of its prime minister, who has been under pressure in recent months, adds our correspondent.
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.
While some of Mr Berlusconi's supporters have gathered outside the hospital to wish him well, within 24 hours of the attack nearly 70,000 people had signed up to a fan page on social networking site Facebook dedicated to Mr Tartaglia.While some of Mr Berlusconi's supporters have gathered outside the hospital to wish him well, within 24 hours of the attack nearly 70,000 people had signed up to a fan page on social networking site Facebook dedicated to Mr Tartaglia.