Romano Prodi claims to have won the Italian election. But the race for the premiership was at one point too close to call and the opposition have demanded a recount. Early results suggested that Berlusconi had been ousted from office with significant gains having been secured by his rival. But as the evening wore on, the swing away from Romano Prodi became more evident. As the polls closed, most broadcasters quickly brought viewers the Breaking News that Prodi’s win was certain. However, within hours Sky News and others were beginning to change their position. Romano Prodi has fought the election in a country which has seen rising unemployment and inflation, and has promised economic reforms. He has also established himself as being against the Iraq war bringing with his win a possible withdrawal of Italian troops from the Iraqi theatre.
And in the Iraqi theatre, the killing continues. Suicide attacks on Shi’ite mosques on Friday and Saturday last week has killed over 50 and injured more than 100. And against the backdrop of suicide bombings, sectarian fighting and kidnappings, world leaders have been arguing as to whether Iraq is in a state of civil war. Adding to the debate over the weekend was Hosni Mubarak who stated that there was an ongoing civil war in Iraq which threatened the whole region. He also courted controversy from other parts of a televised interview. Iraqi leaders reacted angrily on Sunday to claims by the Egyptian leader that Iraq’s Shia majority was loyal to Iran.
But further leaked documents referred to in the Independent suggested the country was in greater turmoil than officials admitted publicly. The confidential assessment of the security situation across Iraq carried out by US officials portrayed a country beset by violence and sectarian division. The report also states that the stability of six of Iraq’s 18 provinces was considered "serious" and one was said to be "critical".
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