Pro-Berlusconi rally draws thousands ahead of vote

Thousands of people have turned out for a rally supporting Premier Silvio Berlusconi's party before regional elections later this month.

The rally was initially called to support Berlusconi's People of Freedom party after its candidates were excluded from the Rome provincial vote because they missed a filing deadline. Saturday's rally took on greater importance after Berlusconi was accused in a new investigation involving state-run RAI television. (AP)