A shaken Italian nation focused on mourning today after 18 Italians were killed and another was left brain dead in Iraq, Italy’s single worst military loss since the Second World War. But a political storm brewed over the country’s policy in the occupied country.

ITALIAN Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday called for his corruption trial to be suspended and for the reintroduction of judicial immunity for parliamentarians.

Italy says it will contribute 2,700 troops to the military campaign against terrorism.

Billionaire Silvio Berlusconi has said a "new era" is beginning for Italy, after his conservative coalition last night won the country's general election.

Media baron Silvio Berlusconi today held a narrow lead in both chambers of parliament in his bid to win back Italy’s premiership with a coalition of right-wing allies - but it was unclear if he had captured the majority needed to govern.

Italians were lining up at the polls today to choose between conservative media baron Silvio Berlusconi as their next leader or the centre-left coalition that has governed for the last five years.

Italy’s former European Commissioner Emma Bonino is on hunger strike in protest at what she says is unfair media coverage of the countgry’s impending general election.

The Italian government has scheduled national elections for May 13 and says municipal elections would be held the same day.