Bush eager to work with Berlusconi again: White House

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush is eager to work again with Italy's conservative Prime Minister-elect Silvio Berlusconi, a White House spokeswoman said Tuesday.

"The president looks forward to working with him again," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters, one day after Berlusconi's People of Freedom party prevailed in general elections, making him Italy's prime minister for a third time.

Before being ousted in elections less than two years ago, Berlusconi established himself as one of Bush's strongest European allies.

The Italian billionaire succeeds Romano Prodi, the center-left leader who had unseated him in 2006.

lal/sg/pmh

04/15/2008 15:12 GMT