Italy's Berlusconi says he would be the PM candidate if new vote held

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's four-time Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Saturday he would stand to lead the country for a fifth time if a snap vote is called after centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani again rejected forming a government with his rival.

The February election left parliament split between three hostile blocs, none of which can govern alone, making an early return to the polls a growing possibility.