Silvio Berlusconi said on Friday that
"it's tough", but that he would "make it this time too" as he
continued treatment in the intensive care unit of the San
Raffaele hospital in Milan
"Even in difficult and delicate situations I have managed to get
back on my feet," Berlusconi is reported to have said.
The three-times former premier and media mogul was speaking by
telephone to Augusto Minzolini, editor of the former Berlusconi
family newspaper Il Giornale.
Berlusconi has been receiving treatment in intensive care unit
since being admitted on Wednesday, suffering with a lung
infection and the effects of chronic leukemia.
The 86-year-old's second night in intensive care unit passed
quietly, sources said. It is understood from hospital sources
that the leader of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI), a
government coalition partner, is responding well to treatment.
He was expected to undergo further tests Friday.
Mediaset President Fedele Confalonieri said Berlusconi was
improving after visiting the hospital on Friday.
"(He's) better, better than before," Confalonieri told
reporters.
"They told me that he is well," he said, adding "yes" when asked
if there was optimism about his state of health.
President Sergio Mattarella was among the first to inquire about
Berlusconi's state of health and wish him a speedy recovery,
newspaper Libero reported, citing top FI figures.
Mattarella reportedly called Gianna Letta, one of Berlusconi's
closest aides, on Wednesday after it emerged that the
three-times prime minister and media tycoon had been
hospitalized again, this time for chronic leukemia and a lung
infection.
The Head of State asked Letta to convey his best wishes to
Berlusconi and his family for a speedy recovery, the sources
said.
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