Girls and gaffes: Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi under pressure

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has called on legislators not to jeopardise the government out of narrow political interests, as he faces votes of confidence.

Speaking to the Senate, he said Italy needed operational continuity, and that ousting him would create a "crisis in the dark".

If he loses, Mr Berlusconi has said there will be early elections.

His political career - though not his marriage - has survived gaffe's and scandals over his relationships with women.

Gavin Hewitt reports from Rome.