Key Berlusconi ally withholds support from Monti

Economist Mario Monti won some pledges of support today to lead a new technocratic government to rescue Italy from financial disaster, but not from the Northern League, a long-time ally of Silvio Berlusconi.

President Giorgio Napolitano, who was talking today with all party leaders, could ask Mr Monti to form a government as soon as this evening, just 24 hours after Mr Berlusconi reluctantly resigned from the premiership.