Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has handed his resignation to the country's president after losing a crucial foreign policy vote in the Senate.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has handed his resignation to the country's president after losing a crucial foreign policy vote in the Senate.
President Giorgio Napolitano is now expected to hold talks with political leaders before reaching a decision.
President Giorgio Napolitano is now expected to hold talks with political leaders before reaching a decision.
He could accept the resignation or ask Mr Prodi to stay in power.
He could accept the resignation or ask Mr Prodi to stay in power.
In the vote, several of Mr Prodi's coalition partners opposed troop deployments in Afghanistan and plans to expand a US airbase in northern Italy.
In the vote, several of Mr Prodi's coalition partners opposed troop deployments in Afghanistan and plans to expand a US airbase in northern Italy.
But the coalition's leader in the lower house of parliament, Dario Franceschini, said the main parties in the coalition would continue to back Mr Prodi.
"We are ready to renew our full confidence in Prodi," he said.
Mr Napolitano cut short a trip to Bologna to return to Rome for talks with Mr Prodi.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Rome says it is not a foregone conclusion that the government will fall.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Rome says it is not a foregone conclusion that the government will fall.
Mr Napolitano has several options, of which dissolving parliament and calling new elections is the most radical.
Mr Napolitano has several options, of which dissolving parliament and calling new elections is the most radical.
We are ready to renew our full confidence in Prodi Dario FranceschiniCoalition leader in lower house
A spokesman for the prime minister said Mr Prodi needed the full support of the coalition if he was to continue.
"Prodi has acknowledged this is a serious crisis and he doesn't have a majority in the Senate," Silvio Sircana said.
"He is ready to carry on as prime minister if, and only if, he is guaranteed the full support of all the parties in the majority from now on."
The coalition's leader in the lower house of parliament, Dario Franceschini, said the main parties in the coalition would continue to back him.
"We are ready to renew our full confidence in Prodi," he said.
"Let's hope the consultations will be useful to clear things up."
Dramatic scenes
Mr Napolitano cut short a trip to Bologna to return to Rome for talks with Mr Prodi.
He could also ask Mr Prodi, who took office 10 months ago with a wafer-thin parliamentary majority, to test his support with a confidence vote, ask him to form a new government, choose a different prime minister from the ruling coalition or appoint a government of technocrats.
He could also ask Mr Prodi, who took office 10 months ago with a wafer-thin parliamentary majority, to test his support with a confidence vote, ask him to form a new government, choose a different prime minister from the ruling coalition or appoint a government of technocrats.
A statement from the president's office said he "reserves his decision" on Mr Prodi's move.
A statement from the president's office said he "reserved his decision" on Mr Prodi's move.
Consultations with party leaders would begin at 1000 local time (0900 GMT) on Thursday, and in the meantime Mr Prodi would continue in a caretaker role, it added.
Consultations with party leaders would begin at 1000 local time (0900 GMT) on Thursday, and in the meantime Mr Prodi would continue in a caretaker role, it added.
Dramatic scenes
Mr Prodi's foreign minister had earlier said the government could resign if it lost the parliamentary motion.
Mr Prodi's foreign minister had earlier said the government could resign if it lost the parliamentary motion.
More than 100 opposition supporters gathered outside Mr Prodi's offices as he met ministers, calling for him to step down.
The announcement of the result of the vote was met by shouts of "resign! resign!" by right-wing senators. The sitting was suspended shortly afterwards.
The announcement of the result of the vote was met by shouts of "resign! resign!" by right-wing senators. The sitting was suspended shortly afterwards.
Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema had urged senators to approve the motion - which is non-binding - saying unity was crucial for Italy to retain its place on the world stage.
Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema had urged senators to approve the motion - which is non-binding - saying unity was crucial for Italy to retain its place on the world stage.
"I say it loud and clear, this is what we need [...] and we are asked here to request this consensus."
The motion asked the Senate to approve the government's foreign policy, a policy which it said was inspired by a repudiation of war and respect for the role of the EU, UN and international alliances.
The motion asked the senate to approve the government's foreign policy, a policy which it said was inspired by a repudiation of war and respect for the role of the EU, UN and international alliances.
It received 158 votes in favour, just short of the majority of 160 needed for approval, while 136 members of the conservative opposition voted against the motion.
It received 158 votes in favour, just short of the majority of 160 needed for approval, while 136 members of the conservative opposition voted against the motion.
Some 24 senators decided to abstain from the vote.
Some 24 senators decided to abstain from the vote.
Double trouble
Analysts say that the outcome reveals the fragility of Mr Prodi's grip on power, coming just weeks after two Communist and one Green minister walked out of a cabinet vote on Afghanistan.
The twin issues of the continued funding of troop deployment in Afghanistan, where Italy has some 1,900 soldiers, and the expansion of a US airbase in the north-eastern city of Vicenza have sparked fierce debate in Italy.
Last week, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Vicenza in protest at the plans.
They were approved by Mr Prodi's predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi.
What do you make of this story? Should the government resign over the issue?
What do you make of this story? Should the government resign over the issue?
