Silvio Berlusconi refuses to be diverted by scandal as he plays statesman

Silvio Berlusconi did yesterday what beleaguered leaders have done down the ages. Facing an onslaught of revelations about his private life, the Italian leader fought back by recasting himself as an international statesman. With a week to go before he hosts the G8 summit of world leaders, the Prime Minister batted away questions about his connection to young women and instead tried to concentrate on the big issues facing the world today. In an hour-long press conference Mr Berlusconi, one of the longest-serving Western leaders still in power, said that he was focused on issues of global importance such as climate change and reform of the world financial system — along with Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, on which he said that the question of sanctions against Tehran would be discussed. The G5 nations — China, Brazil, Mexico, India and South Africa — and Egypt will also attend. The Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who made a controversial visit to Rome this month, will appear at the head of the African Union delegation.

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article6605392.ece