ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER Silvio Berlusconi has undergone four-hour facial surgery today to repair damage done in 2009 when a man attacked him with a statuette.

Berlusconi was hospitalised and suffered broken teeth and a broken nose when a man at a political rally in Milan struck him in the face with a souvenir model of the city’s cathedral.

In a statement today, the premier’s office said the surgery was undertaken to “restore the anatomy and jaw function that had been gravely compromised” in the attack.

The Italian leader is currently involved in a number of court cases accusing him of bribery, fraud and sex with an underage prostitute.

On Saturday, Berlusconi’s lawyers said he planned to defend himself in court against allegations he paid an underage Moroccan dancer for sex - so long as he doesn’t have to appear in court more than once a week.

The prostitution allegations will be addressed in the final of four court cases facing the Italian premier.

The first case accuses Berlusconi of tax fraud, a second accuses him of paying bribes to a British lawyer to withhold testimony in the 90s, and a third concerns claims of fraud and embezzlement.

His lawyer Niccolo Ghedini said: “The premier considers it opportune to show up in person to defend himself”. That trial is due to begin on 6 April in Milan. Berlusconi denies the allegations and claims prosecutors are aligned with the opposition left in pursuing him.

- Includes reporting from the AP