Berlusconi in US for medical checks

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, who had a heart scare last month, arrived in the United States yesterday for medical checks, his spokesman said.

A close political ally had earlier said Mr Berlusconi, 70, would undergo surgery there.

Mr Berlusconi's spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti told ANSA news agency that the billionaire media tycoon was in the United States "for scheduled medical checks", without giving more details. There has been intense media speculation in Italy that Mr Berlusconi, who was hospitalised for three days after collapsing at a rally late last month, may have to be fitted with a pacemaker.

His doctors identified an irregular heartbeat but said there was no reason for concern.

Earlier Umberto Bossi, leader of the Northern League party in Mr Berlusconi's centre-right opposition, told a rally in Milan: "(Mr) Berlusconi has decided to go and have surgery in the United States."