ROME -- News reports say Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi spent an untroubled night at the hospital after being hit in the face with a statuette hurled by a man at a rally in Milan.

The ANSA news agency said Berlusconi asked to see newspapers upon waking up Monday at the San Raffaele hospital. The hospital's spokesman could not be reached for comment.

The hospital is expected to issue a medical update at midday.

Berlusconi was hit Sunday as he was signing autographs at the rally. The 73-year-old leader was rushed to hospital with blood under his nose, on his mouth and under one eye. He suffered a fractured nose, two broken teeth and a lip injury, according to hospital spokesman Paolo Klun.

The attacker has been arrested.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121301495_pf.html

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