Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi leaves hospital

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has left hospital after four nights recovering from Sunday's attack which broke his nose and two teeth, dpa reported.

He has been advised by doctors to rest for at least two weeks and has cancelled various engagements.

He said he hoped the attack would prompt "a calmer, more honest language in Italian politics".

The attacker used a replica model of Milan cathedral to hit the prime minister as he was signing autographs.

With bandages on his nose and cheek, Mr Berlusconi waved at waiting media and onlookers as he was driven from Milan's San Raffaele Hospital in a motorcade.

A banner reading "Welcome Home" was seen at the entrance to his villa, Ansa news agency reported.

The prime minister spent several hours at his dentist's before returning to the villa, reports said.