Berlusconi vows to fight 'army of evil'

Italy's Silvio Berlusconi yesterday pledged to use his big election win to push through economic reforms, and vowed to close the border to illegal immigrants in a crackdown on criminals he called "the army of evil".

The 71-year-old conservative secured a third term as prime minister on Monday but owed his majority in both chambers of parliament to the support of the xenaphobic and protectionist Northern League, which won about 8 percent of votes.

In comments likely to be applauded by the League, he promised tough measures against crime, blamed by many Italians on illegal immigrants, as well as an Italian rescue for Alitalia airline and an end to a garbage crisis in Naples.