Senate test for Berlusconi

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was putting his revamped conservative cabinet to the test in a senate confidence vote today.

It comes a day after he easily won approval in the lower Chamber of Deputies. He has a majority in both houses. The effort to revive his coalition's momentum comes amid growing calls for Italy to withdraw its 3,000 troops from Iraq.

The outcry follows reports that the US had cleared it soldiers of blame over the killing of Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari at a Baghdad checkpoint.

Ms Calipari had just helped free hostage journalist Giuliana Sgrena. The premier has put his government's reputation on the line with assurances that full light would be shed on the shooting.