Berlusconi in Saudi talks

The former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi may sell a partial stake in his television empire to an international consortium led by Saudi Prince al-Waleed bin Talal. Mr Berlusconi has been in lengthy negotiations with both Prince al-Waleed and the Australian-born media baron Rupert Murdoch over the sale of his Mediaset holding company, which controls three commercial television stations and large advertising interests.

Italian newspapers said yesterday that Mr Berlusconi had opted to accept an offer from the al-Waleed consortium, which includes the German media magnate Leo Kirch and the South African businessman Johann Rupert, to buy between 20 and 30 per cent of Mediaset.