Berlusconi calls on the stars for his sex trial

Silvio Berlusconi's defence lawyers want George Clooney and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to testify at the Italian premier's upcoming prostitution trial.

The American actor and Real Madrid striker are among 78 people who are named by the defence, as well as Clooney's Italian girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, and several other prominent TV Italian personalities.

Mr Berlusconi, 74, is accused of paying for sex with a Moroccan girl who was then 17, and using his influence to try to cover it up. He denies wrongdoing.

The trial opens a week today in Milan.

Yesterday, prosecutors and defence lawyers presented their lists of witnesses to the court. A judge must now decide which witnesses to admit.

The law firm for Mr Berlusconi said Mr Clooney - who lives in Italy - was listed because teenager Karima el-Mahroug once said she had seen the star and girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis at one of Mr Berlusconi's parties. Ms Canalis has reportedly denied attending.

The Italian leader yesterday hit out at prosecutors who are bringing four trials against him, saying they had wasted 18 million in public money. He is accused of charges ranging from the sex allegations, to tax fraud, perverting the course of justice and abuse of power.