Italian parliament to meet

Italy's new parliament is to meet on Wednesday for the first time since general elections three weeks ago.

The move coincides with signs that the prime minister-elect, the controversial media magnate Silvio Berlusconi, has rebuffed attempts by his right-wing allies, the Northern League and the National Alliance, to obtain the influential post of parliamentary speaker.

A spokesman for Mr Berlusconi is quoted as saying that the job is now likely to go to the Catholic politician Pierferdinando Casini.

Efforts are continuing to form a governing coalition.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service