Italian PM Mario Monti quits; elections set for February

Following Italian prime minister Mario Monti's resignation, the country's president Giorgio Napolitano dissolved parliament on Saturday, setting the stage for the general elections, scheduled to be held in February.

Monti, who could have ruled until the end of his parliamentary term in April 2013, stepped down Friday following the withdrawal of support from ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right People of Freedom Party for his technocratic government.

The president has called for a ''measured and constructive electoral campaign.''

The move brings an end to the uncertainties surrounding the country's governance which has been lingering on for the past few months.

The Italian cabinet said that the elections will be held on 24-25 February. Monti will continue to head the caretaker government.

Monti, 69, an economist and a former European Union commissioner, told reporters in Rome yesterday that he is not siding with any political party but will be available to head a new government, if any coalition is committed to continue with his reforms.