ITALY: Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has said a suicide bomber was plotting to kill him at a soccer match, and accused political rivals of heightening the risk of terrorist attacks by questioning his integrity.
"I am the subject of a direct threat. A suicide bomber in a stadium aiming for me," Mr Berlusconi told Italian newspaper Libero in an interview published yesterday.
"But it is not a question of me. We're also talking about Italy. Aren't people worried about this?" he added in what the conservative daily called a furious and bitter outburst.
Mr Berlusconi, who owns top Italian soccer club AC Milan and sometimes watches them play at Milan's San Siro stadium, did not say when the plot was uncovered or if it was a continuing threat.
An official at the interior ministry said its anti-terrorist unit had received information about a plan to strike at Mr Berlusconi but declined to give any further information.
The Libero interview came just days after Mr Berlusconi said he had repeatedly tried to persuade his friend US President George W Bush against invading Iraq, a comment that drew ridicule from opposition politicians.
Mr Berlusconi insisted he had never wanted war with Iraq and said he hoped his words would be heard across the Arab world.
"[ I am] a leader who tried in every way to prevent the war, who did not attack anyone and who is not at war," he said.
Italy, a close US ally which sent 3,000 troops to Iraq after the fall of Baghdad in 2003, has received numerous internet threats purported to be from Islamic militants. Several threats have identified Mr Berlusconi as a target.
"Our troops in Iraq are not a force of occupation. They are a peacekeeping force operating under the aegis of the United Nations," Mr Berlusconi said.
He added that those who scoffed at the idea that he tried to convince Washington not to attack Iraq were endangering Italy.
"If journalists and opposition politicians loved Italy, then they would have to recognise what I said [ was true]. They are anti-Italian," he said.
"Their overriding consideration is hatred towards me."