Berlusconi vows to stay on despite court setback

ROME: A combative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, said yesterday he would keep governing with "even more grit" after Italy's top court lifted his immunity and said he would show that corruption charges against him were "laughable".

But commentators warned that the political tension stemming from Wednesday's ruling from the country's highest court could lead to de-stabilization that could spill over into the economy and the legislative process.

"The government will forge ahead calmly, tranquilly and with even more grit than before because this will be absolutely indispensable for freedom and democracy in this country," Berlusconi said in a morning radio interview.