Bloodied Berlusconi struck at rally

[John]

The controversial 73-year-old was stunned and bloodied after the incident in Milan. A 42-year-old man was arrested.

TV footage showed the prime minister being lifted to his feet by helpers after the attack.

Paolo Klun, chief spokesman for Milan's San Raffaele Hospital said Mr Berlusconi suffered a "small fracture" of the nose, two broken teeth, and injury to the inside and outside of his lip.

The attack happened as Mr Berlusconi was signing autographs on Sunday.

He was hustled into the back of a car, but immediately got out, apparently in an effort to show he was not badly injured. After looking out into the crowd, the premier, without saying a word, was pulled back into the vehicle.

Mr Berlusconi had just finished delivering a long, vigorous speech to a crowd of applauding supporters from his Freedom People party.

Milan's police headquarters said the premier was conscious and apparently not badly injured. They said the attacker was wielding a miniature statue of Milan's Duomo, the city's gargoyled cathedral and symbol, but could not say what the souvenir was made of.

Mr Berlusconi's spokesman said doctors had decided to keep the premier in the city's San Raffaele hospital overnight for observation, and that examination of his jaw area included a CT scan.

Police identified the man they were questioning as Massimo Tartaglia.

[DUKE NUKEM]

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