Berlusconi asks for newspapers after attack

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi spent a quiet night in hospital and asked Monday to see the newspaper coverage of the attack.

MILAN, December 14, 2009 (AFP) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi spent a quiet night in hospital and asked Monday to see the newspaper coverage of the attack that left him with a fractured nose and two teeth knocked out, ANSA news agency reported.

The assailant threw a replica of Milan's gothic cathedral into the face of the 73-year-old billionaire politician after a rally in the city.

Doctors have said Berlusconi will spent up to two days in hospital, where a banner at the gates said: "Prime Minister Berlusconi get well soon. Real Italians Are Always With You," ANSA reported.

His alleged assailant, 42-year-old Massimo Tartaglia, is in police custody. Police say the suspect has a history of mental health.

Tartaglia's father tried to telephone Berlusconi in hospital but could not get through, ANSA said.

Aides bundled Berlusconi into a car after the attack and took him to San Raffaele Hospital where he was treated at the emergency room. A spokesman said he had two teeth knocked out, a small fracture to his nose, cuts on his upper lip and bruises to his face.