Berlusconi's health improves, still in intensive care

Former Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi is continuing to show an improvement in his health but he remains in intensive care, the Milan hospital treating him for leukaemia and a lung infection said on Thursday.

The 86-year-old billionaire media tycoon was rushed to Milan's San Raffaele hospital on Wednesday last week, triggering speculation that his life might be in danger and drawing a stream of family and friends to his bedside.

However, since then his doctors have said his condition has stabilised.

"The last 72 hours have seen a constant improvement" in Berlusconi's breathing and the functioning of his kidneys, the latest bulletin said on Thursday, adding that he would continue to be treated in the intensive care unit.