Italian PM resigns

Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, resigned after being defeated in a vote of no confidence in the upper house of parliament.



Mr. Prodi, who had led his centre-left coalition for 20 months, was yesterday defeated by five votes, despite the support of several unelected lifetime senators.



President Giorgio Napolitano must now choose whether to call a snap election or appoint an interim government.



Mr. Prodi has been asked to continue as a caretaker until then.