Milan: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was spending a second night in hospital on Tuesday following an attack that left him with a broken nose.
Italian press reports meanwhile said his attacker, Massimo Tartaglia, had apologised Monday for what he called a "superficial, cowardly and inconsiderate act."
The 73-year-old prime minister, who was hit in the face with a heavy figurine on Sunday, is unlikely to leave hospital before Wednesday, his doctor Alberto Zangrillo told reporters.
"The situation is calm, but (Berlusconi's condition) requires close attention," Zangrillo said, adding that the premier was unlikely to be able to return to work for some 10 days.
Berlusconi has cancelled plans travel to Copenhagen this week for the summit to hash out a climate change deal.
The prime minister was suffering from a severe headache and has difficulty eating, the physician added. His injuries also include a deep cut under his left eye and two broken teeth.
Zangrillo said the prime minister lost half a litre (about 17 fluid ounces) of blood following the assault, which took place after a political rally in Milan, Berlusconi's hometown.
His attacker, Tartaglia, who was arrested immediately after the assault, released a letter through his lawyer late Monday apologising for the attack.
"I don't recognise myself," wrote, 42-year-old Tartaglia, who hurled a heavy replica of Milan's gothic cathedral at Berlusconi.
Tartaglia added that he had "acted alone (with no) form of militancy or political affiliation," the ANSA news agency reported.
The assailant, who has a 10-year history of mental problems, according to Italian media reports, faces up to five years in prison if convicted of having injured Berluconi.
Zangrillo said that the attack could have injured far more seriously.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 08:59