Berlusconi denies spurning PM job

Mr Berlusconi has a long history of legal battles

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has denied Italian media reports that he will not try for a third term as prime minister.

Through his spokesman he said he had "no intention of giving up the responsibilities that the voters have entrusted me with".

He said he would not however try to lead a centrist left-right coalition.

Earlier, the Italian newspaper Libero said Mr Berlusconi had told friends that he would not serve as PM again.

But the Italian news agency Ansa quoted Mr Berlusconi as saying his comments had been misinterpreted.

He explained that he would not necessarily play a role in any broad coalition with centre-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi, who beat his centre-right bloc narrowly in the April elections.

"As I've already said in public a number of times, I wouldn't necessarily expect to be part of a broad governing coalition, and certainly not the premier in such a case," he said.

Fraud trial

The Libero report came on the day Mr Berlusconi, 70, was facing trial in Milan for alleged fraud and tax evasion.

According to Libero, Mr Berlusconi said: "We will certainly return to power but I can already tell you something - whatever happens, I will not go back to Palazzo Chigi (the prime minister's office). I've already done my part. Enough for me," he added.

Mr Berlusconi, Italy's richest man, first served as prime minister in 1994, leading his own party, Forza Italia (Go Italy). It formed a coalition with the right-wing National Alliance and Northern League.

He returned to power in 2001, and became one of Italy's longest-serving post-war prime ministers until losing office earlier this year.

He has been involved in several legal battles in connection with his substantial Milan-based business interests.