Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has called on the country's central bank governor Antonio Fazio to resign following weeks of controversy over his handling of a banking takeover battle.
Berlusconi's comments came hours after Domenico Siniscalco resigned as economy minister because of the government's reluctance to push for Fazio's departure.
Berlusconi told reporters that Giulio Tremonti, a fierce critic of Fazio who quit as economy minister in July 2004, would return to his old job and replace Siniscalco.
The prime minister said Tremonti would leave Italy in the coming hours to represent Italy at the annual International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington, which Fazio was also due to attend.
Fazio is resisting pressure to step down over accusations he showed bias against Dutch bank ABN AMRO which was bidding to take over an Italian lender.
Fazio, who is independent of the government, has denied any wrongdoing. Berlusconi had held back from demanding Fazio's head because his most loyal coalition partner, the Northern League, has stoutly defended the central banker.
