18/07/2012 19:14
Sicily is close to defaulting on its debts
Italian PM Mario Monti says the region of Sicily is close to defaulting on its debts, and he is seeking confirmation that the governor will resign, the BBC reports.
In a statement, Mr Monti said there were "grave concerns" that the island would default following a growing financial crisis.
He said he had written to Raffaele Lombardo asking him to confirm his stated intention to quit this month.
Mr Monti's government is struggling to cope with a huge national debt crisis.