Italy's Berlusconi faints at political rally

MONTECATINI TERME, Italy, Nov 26 (Reuters) Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi fainted as he delivered a speech at a rally today, fuelling speculation about the political future of the 70-year old opposition leader.

Berlusconi fell to the floor with his eyes closed as he was delivering the closing address at a gathering of young centre-right followers in the town of Montecatini Terme. He was taken off stage by aides to be assisted by his personal doctor.

An ambulance arrived on the scene but Berlusconi appeared to make a swift recovery. He got to his feet after a few minutes to greet well-wishers before leaving the venue by car. He later boarded a nearby helicopter to fly to his home near Milan.

Berlusconi, Italy's richest man, went on trial last week charged with fraud at broadcaster Mediaset , which his family controls. He denies all wrongdoing.

''He is feeling much better, he is walking on his own legs, Berlusconi's spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti told reporters.

Other aides were equally reassuring. They said Berlusconi had been taking antibiotics for a minor infection and suffered a sharp fall in blood pressure. They recalled he had had similar, brief episodes in the past which proved nothing to worry about.

Berlusconi's doctor, Umberto Scarpagnini, said he had lost consciousness ''for a few seconds due to great fatigue and the extreme heat.'' To show that Berlusconi had lost none of his high spirits, Bonaiuti recounted that before leaving the venue he was examined by a heart specialist with a long beard.

''When Berlusconi saw him he said, 'Oh My God, it's Bin Laden,''' Bonaiuti said.

LEGAL WOES In a message addressing his arch-rival as ''Dear Silvio,'' Prime Minister Romano Prodi said he was ''particularly disturbed and worried to hear about what happened'' at Sunday's rally.

''I am sure it's a small problem and I wish you a rapid recovery,'' Prodi said.

Despite Berlusconi's apparently rapid recovery, the episode is likely to increase speculation about his political future.

Berlusconi has taken a surprisingly low profile since he narrowly lost the April general election. Last week he denied a newspaper report that he told a private gathering he would not lead the centre-right at the next election, whenever it comes.

Berlusconi's allies the Northern League and the centrist Union of Christian Democrats (UDC) have distanced themselves from him since the election even though the opposition is now well ahead of Prodi's government, according to opinion polls.

UDC leader Pierferdinando Casini has said Berlusconi may not be the right man to lead the centre-right in the future.

Tensions in the opposition bloc have been exacerbated by the UDC's decision not to participate in a centre-right street demonstration against the government's belt-tightening 2007 budget, to be held next Saturday.

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