Italian premier Romano Prodi resigned after nine months in office following an embarrassing loss by his centre-left government in the Senate on foreign policy.

Italian Premier Romano Prodi resigned last night after his centre-left government embarrassingly lost a Senate vote on foreign policy, including the country’s military mission in Afghanistan.

ITALIAN Prime Minister Romano Prodi resigned yesterday after nine months in office following an embarrassing senate defeat by his centre-left government on foreign policy matters, including Italy’s military mission in Afghanistan.

Romano Prodi, the European Union chief who also helps lead Italy’s largest opposition coalition, said in a letter published today that he has no doubt that the Italian left would end the nation’s military role in Iraq if elected to power.