Bandaged Berlusconi leaves hospital

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, his face bandaged, left hospital today four days after being attacked by a mentally ill man at a political rally.

The 73-year-old waved weakly and looked grim as he was slowly driven away in a motorcade from Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital.

With his other hand, he pressed what appeared to be a white handkerchief or bandage to his face.

The motorcade headed to Arcore, the media mogul’s villa on the outskirts of Milan.

Mr Berlusconi later said in a statement that he would go on "with more strength and determination than before.''

“I will remember two things about these days: the hatred of a few and the love of many, many Italians,” the statement said.

Mr Berlusconi, who is fending off a sex scandal and legal troubles, had previously lamented that he was the target of a “climate of hatred.”

Known for his seemingly boundless energy, Mr Berlusconi was ordered by his doctors to cancel or reduce public appearances through the Christmas season.

A Cabinet meeting in Rome was held without the premier’s presence. Mr Berlusconi was also skipping the last days of the climate change conference in Copenhagen.