Premier Silvio Berlusconi was sworn in as premier yesterday, his third time as head of an Italian government, following his conservatives' sweep in elections last month.

The 71-year-old media magnate and his Cabinet ministers read the oath of office in the ornate presidential Quirinal Palace. Berlusconi signed the oath in front of Italy's head of state, President Giorgio Napolitano.

"I pledge to be loyal to the Republic, to faithfully observe the Constitution and laws, and to exercise my duties in the exclusive interest of the nation," said the billionaire businessman, who has been dogged by conflict-of-interest criticism since he burst onto Italy's political scene 15 years ago.