Sick Berlusconi to miss EU summit

Mr Berlusconi is to go back on trial next month, accused of tax fraud

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has a bout of scarlet fever and will miss this week's EU summit in Brussels, his foreign minister says.

The minister, Franco Frattini, said he would attend instead of Mr Berlusconi.

Italian media reports say Mr Berlusconi, 73, has a mild form of the fever, which can result in a sore throat, high temperature and rash.

He is thought to have caught it from one of his grandchildren. Doctors have advised him not to travel yet.

The Lisbon Treaty - not yet ratified by the Czech Republic - is expected to be a major issue at the Brussels summit on Thursday and Friday.

But the discussions on the planned changes to EU institutions will be complicated by the Czech delay, which has made it uncertain when the treaty will take effect.

Mr Berlusconi, a friend of Tony Blair, has said he would welcome the former UK prime minister becoming the new EU president under the treaty. It is not yet clear whether Mr Blair will be a candidate.

Mr Berlusconi is due to go back on trial on 16 November, accused of tax fraud.

It follows a recent decision by Italy's highest court to lift his immunity from prosecution while serving in office.