Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi Resigns

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has resigned after parliament's lower chamber passed European-demanded reforms, ending a 17-year political era. 

President Giorgio Napolitano accepted his offer and is likely to appoint technocrat Mario Monti his successor. Mr Silvio Berlusconi lost his majority amid an acute debt crisis that threatens the eurozone. Silvio Berlusconi promised to go once MPs had approved new austerity measures. Crowds celebrated outside the presidential palace, shouting "buffoon" as he entered. Reports say Mr Silvio Berlusconi's last journey as Prime Minister was an undignified one. 

Police struggled to control a large, hostile crowd which booed and jeered as his convoy swept by, and after his resignation he left by a side exit to avoid the protesters. 

Mr Silvio Berlusconi is Italy's longest-serving post-war Prime Minister. Silvio Berlusconi’s premiership has recently been marred by many scandals.