The winner of last week's general election in Italy, Romano Prodi, has said he will continue the work of forming a new government despite the refusal of the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, to acknowledge defeat.
Mr Prodi described Mr Berlusconi's attitude as unfortunate, but not an obstacle.
On Wednesday, Italy's highest court confirmed the narrow victory of Mr Prodi's centre-left coalition.
Mr Berlusconi has still made no public comment on the court's ruling.
