25/10/2012 12:43
Silvio Berlusconi has no intention of standing for office
Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has said he has no intention of standing for office at next year's election, the BBC reports.
Mr Berlusconi, on trial over charges of abuse of power, said he would offer guidance from the sidelines.
Mr Berlusconi was forced to resign last November due to his handling of the country's financial crisis.
His statement was both welcomed and doubted by senior figures across Italy's political spectrum.