ITALIAN prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was facing defeat in his northern power base of Milan yesterday in local elections that will raise doubts over the future of his fragile centre-right coalition government.

Italy’s opposition has introduced a no-confidence motion against Premier Silvio Berlusconi in a move that sets the stage for a showdown in parliament that could spell the end of the government.

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right coalition has backed down on a controversial wiretaps bill as its deputies approved a watered-down version in a parliamentary committee vote.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi began his first visit to Italy today with a warm embrace from prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, evidence of better ties between the energy-rich desert nation and its former colonial ruler.