Italian PM asked to resume duties (Prodi stays) | BBC

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Italian PM asked to resume duties


Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi (file image)

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has been asked by the president to remain in office after resigning last week over a key vote on foreign policy.

Seeking to end the crisis, President Giorgio Napolitano said Mr Prodi should stay but seek a vote of confidence in his young, centre-left government.

He dismissed as pointless the idea of fresh elections, as demanded by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Mr Prodi resigned on Wednesday after losing a vote on troops in Afghanistan.

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