Berlusconi arrives at palace to hand in resignation

Premier Silvio Berlusconi arrived at the Italian presidential palace today to hand in his resignation, a formal step that will make way for a centre-left government led by Romano Prodi.

Berlusconi arrived at the Quirinale Palace in Rome after leading a cabinet meeting during which he announced his resignation.

After handing in his resignation to President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, Berlusconi is expected to be asked to stay on temporarily as caretaker.