Berlusconi says he's best politician in world

Italy's right-wing opposition leader says he's the best politician in the world.

Silvio Berlusconi, leader of the Forza Italia party, told the country's parliament in Rome that no one could compete with him.

Left-wingers asked whether he thought he was a bigger figure than the Pope.

Media and business magnate Berlusconi said: "No one on the world's political stage can compete with me."

Fabio Mussi of the Democratic Left said: "I would just like to know whether he includes the Pope among his competitors."

His comments come as speculation grows that Italian premier Giuliano Amato will call a general election, BBC Monitoring reports.