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Berlusconi leaves Milan hospital Berlusconi leaves Milan hospital
(29 minutes later)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has left hospital after four nights recovering from Sunday's attack which broke his nose and two teeth.Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has left hospital after four nights recovering from Sunday's attack which broke his nose and two teeth.
He was expected to recuperate at his villa just outside Milan for two weeks, and has cancelled engagements. He has been advised by doctors to rest for at least two weeks and has cancelled various engagements.
He said he hoped the attack would prompt "a calmer, more honest language in Italian politics".He said he hoped the attack would prompt "a calmer, more honest language in Italian politics".
The attacker used a replica model of Milan cathedral to hit the prime minister as he was signing autographs.The attacker used a replica model of Milan cathedral to hit the prime minister as he was signing autographs.
With bandages on his nose and cheek, he waved at waiting media and onlookers as he was driven from the hospital in a motorcade. With bandages on his nose and cheek, Mr Berlusconi waved at waiting media and onlookers as he was driven from Milan's San Raffaele Hospital in a motorcade.
A banner reading "Welcome Home" was seen at the entrance to his villa, Ansa news agency reported.A banner reading "Welcome Home" was seen at the entrance to his villa, Ansa news agency reported.
The prime minister had been expected to go there from the hospital, but had not arrived several hours later.
'More serene'
The attack has sparked debate in Italy, where his political party said some websites had preached hatred for Mr Berlusconi and praised the attacker for his actions.The attack has sparked debate in Italy, where his political party said some websites had preached hatred for Mr Berlusconi and praised the attacker for his actions.
But Mr Berlusconi, in a statement after his release, said: "If, after what happened, there is a better awareness of the need for calmer and more honest language in Italian politics, this pain will not have been in vain.But Mr Berlusconi, in a statement after his release, said: "If, after what happened, there is a better awareness of the need for calmer and more honest language in Italian politics, this pain will not have been in vain.
Mr Berlusconi is expected to recuperate at his villa Police have been on duty at Mr Berlusconi's villa near Milan
"These last days I have felt that even some political opposition leaders have come closer.""These last days I have felt that even some political opposition leaders have come closer."
He had had a "more serene" night last night, his spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti told Italian television, and he awoke "calm".He had had a "more serene" night last night, his spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti told Italian television, and he awoke "calm".
He had been expected to be released on Wednesday, but doctors kept him in hospital for a further night after "persistent pain".He had been expected to be released on Wednesday, but doctors kept him in hospital for a further night after "persistent pain".
Reports said he had suffered severe headaches after the injuries caused an old neck injury to flare up.Reports said he had suffered severe headaches after the injuries caused an old neck injury to flare up.
On Wednesday, a judge remanded his alleged attacker Massimo Tartaglia, 42, in custody. On Wednesday, a judge remanded his alleged attacker, Massimo Tartaglia, 42, in custody.
He rejected a plea from his lawyer that he be transferred from police custody to a psychiatric hospital temporarily.He rejected a plea from his lawyer that he be transferred from police custody to a psychiatric hospital temporarily.
The judge said Tartaglia was still capable of carrying out a similar act, Ansa reported. The judge said Mr Tartaglia was still capable of carrying out a similar act, Ansa reported.
Also on Wednesday, security guards on the seventh floor of the hospital where Mr Berlusconi was staying apprehended a man who said he wanted to speak to Mr Berlusconi. Also on Wednesday, security guards on the seventh floor of the hospital where Mr Berlusconi was staying apprehended a man who said he wanted to speak to the prime minister.
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Silvio Berlusconi leaves Milan's San Raffaele hospitalSilvio Berlusconi leaves Milan's San Raffaele hospital