Ally says Berlusconi will not stand as premiership candidate

ROME (Reuters) - Silvio Berlusconi will not stand as candidate for prime minister in next month's Italian election under the terms of a coalition deal with the Northern League, the head of the pro-devolution party said on Monday.

The pact is vital for Berlusconi's plans to undermine the centre-left government expected to emerge from the February 24-25 election but the League's rank and file oppose the scandal-plagued media magnate as a candidate for prime minister.