Berlusconi reappears in public

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has made his first appearance in public after a month-long absence.

The Prime Minister was last seen in public on 20 December, giving rise to unconfirmed reports he had plastic surgery at a Swiss clinic.

After being stopped by journalists on a Rome street, he laughed off the surgery rumours but admitted he worked out.

"I took a few hours for myself every morning to get back in shape - a little check up," said the 67-year-old.