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| Italian PM 'settled' after attack | Italian PM 'settled' after attack |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi spent a settled night in hospital after being hit in the face by an attacker, Italy's Ansa news agency said. | Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi spent a settled night in hospital after being hit in the face by an attacker, Italy's Ansa news agency said. |
| The agency said Mr Berlusconi's first request upon waking up in the hospital in Milan was to see some newspapers. | The agency said Mr Berlusconi's first request upon waking up in the hospital in Milan was to see some newspapers. |
| The PM, 73, suffered a broken nose, two broken teeth and a cut lip after being hit with a model of Milan cathedral following a rally in the city. | The PM, 73, suffered a broken nose, two broken teeth and a cut lip after being hit with a model of Milan cathedral following 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, is reported as having a history of mental illness. | The suspect, Massimo Tartaglia, is reported as having a history of mental illness. |
| ANALYSIS Duncan Kennedy, BBC News, Rome | ANALYSIS Duncan Kennedy, BBC News, Rome |
| The attack will undoubtedly raise questions about security surrounding the prime minister. | The attack will undoubtedly raise questions about security surrounding the prime minister. |
| Like most heads of government, he travels with a large team of body guards and aides but Mr Berlusconi is a gregarious figure who likes to mingle with ordinary people. | Like most heads of government, he travels with a large team of body guards and aides but Mr Berlusconi is a gregarious figure who likes to mingle with ordinary people. |
| He is also a divisive individual in Italian politics, with opinion polls showing a broad split between voters. | He is also a divisive individual in Italian politics, with opinion polls showing a broad split between voters. |
| After months of personal scandal involving his private life, he has become an even more polarising leader, though the motivation for this physical attack is not yet clear. | After months of personal scandal involving his private life, he has become an even more polarising leader, though the motivation for this physical attack is not yet clear. |
| The San Raffaele hospital, where Mr Berlusconi is being treated, is expected to issue a statement around midday, Ansa said. | The San Raffaele hospital, where Mr Berlusconi is being treated, is expected to issue a statement around midday, Ansa said. |
| Mr Berlusconi's doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said it would take a few weeks for the prime minister to fully recover. | Mr Berlusconi's doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said it would take a few weeks for the prime minister to fully recover. |
| Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi had had to undergo a CT scan in the hospital but had not required any surgery. | Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi had had to undergo a CT scan in the hospital but had not required any surgery. |
| "He suffered a big trauma to his face with two evident wounds on the upper lip, one external and one internal which needed surgical suture," he said. | "He suffered a big trauma to his face with two evident wounds on the upper lip, one external and one internal which needed surgical suture," he said. |
| He is believed to have been struck full in the face by the souvenir cathedral while signing autographs. | He is believed to have been struck full in the face by the souvenir cathedral while signing autographs. |
| Dazed | Dazed |
| However Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi was still not quite sure about what happened to him. | However Dr Zangrillo said Mr Berlusconi was still not quite sure about what happened to him. |
| After the attack on Sunday evening 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, before being driven away. | After the attack on Sunday evening 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, before being driven away. |
| In pictures: Attack on Berlusconi | In pictures: Attack on Berlusconi |
| And upon arrival at the hospital the prime minister, who had blood all over his face, said he was fine. | And upon arrival at the hospital the prime minister, who had blood all over his face, 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 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 class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8067110.stm">18-year-old Noemi Letizia May: Wife class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8031520.stm">Veronica Lario files for divorce July: Embroiled in class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8179048.stm">politics and sex scandal involving escort Patrizia D'AddarioOct: Stripped of class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8295716.stm">immunity from prosecution Nov: Trial for class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8362210.stm">tax fraud resumesDec: class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8395280.stm">Denies accusations of mafia links | |
| 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". |
| 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. |