Italy shocked at attempted murder of pro-Berlusconi editor

Belpietro who was recently appointed as editor of centre-right leaning newspaper 'Libero' was shot at by an unidentified man who was waiting for him in the stairwell to his apartment in Milan.

According to the police, Belpietro made a lucky escape as his plain-clothes policeman escort noticed a man descending the apartment stairs dressed in a Guardia di Finanza uniform, he went for his gun and shot towards the two men.

As the police escort returned fire, the assailant managed to run off.

The attack has caused an uproar in Italy, as political tensions run high after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi managed to survive two votes of confidence in both Houses of Parliament, as speculation runs high on possible snap elections to be called in March next year.