Italy president asks Prodi to stay PM, face vote

ROME, Feb 24 (Reuters) Italy's president asked Romano Prodi today to stay on as prime minister and face a confidence vote to test his majority in parliament, the president's office said.

Prodi resigned on Wednesday after he lost a vote on foreign policy in the upper house of parliament, the Senate, plunging the country into political uncertainty.

Thanking the president for his support, Prodi said: ''I will go to parliament as soon as possible, with the support of a cohesive coalition determined to help the country at this difficult stage.'' President Giorgio Napolitano had consulted all political leaders on how to resolve the crisis.

Prodi's supporters asked that he be given a second chance to show he can command a majority in parliament, while former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called for fresh elections.

After intense negotiations over the past two days, Prodi appeared to have succeeded in luring at least one extra senator to bolster his feeble majority in the upper house.

The vote in the lower house and the Senate is expected to be held on two separate days, probably starting on Wednesday.

REUTERS MS PM1650