Italian PM takes on foreign role

Berlusconi, left, takes over from Ruggiero

ROME, Italy -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has named himself interim foreign minister following a cabinet rift over the euro.

The respected pro-European Renato Ruggiero, a former head of the World Trade Organisation, resigned as foreign minister in frustration late on Saturday.

He had been at the centre of a cabinet squabble over Italy's take-up of the euro and the government's attitude to the new single currency introduced on January 1.

Berlusconi appointed himself in the role of foreign minister on Sunday but the move sparked calls by opposition politicians for an emergency parliamentary debate.

The prime minister was sworn in to his new dual position during a meeting with President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the president's office said.

"This interim period might last for a long time. We are talking about weeks or maybe even months," a source in the prime minister's office said, adding Berlusconi would reassure allies that Italy was committed to European integration:

"Italy remains a loyal member of the European Union."

Berlusconi's decision to fill the position himself is an attempt to stamp his authority on a fractious cabinet, but it will concentrate more power in the hands of a man who also controls Italy's biggest media empire.

Piero Fassino, the head of the largest opposition party, the Democrats of the Left, said: "We call on the prime minister to go to parliament at once and take stock of the most severe crisis that Italy has ever had regarding its relations with Europe." Political analysts said Berlusconi's decision suggested he could find no candidate good enough to replace Ruggiero, adding it would be nearly impossible for one person to hold both jobs.