Berlusconi has said he likes being foreign minister as well as prime minister

Renato Ruggiero stepped down after criticizing the euroscepticism of his cabinet colleagues, and being branded a mere "technocrat" by Mr Berlusconi, who has now provisionally taken charge of the foreign affairs portfolio.

Correspondents say that the appointment of Mr Fini to the EU Convention is one of two calculated moves: either he is being prepared to take over the job of foreign minister, or it is a consolation prize for not getting the job.

Change of heart

Mr Fini, when asked in 1994 what he thought of Mussolini - Adolf Hitler's ally - said: "I would still say that he was the greatest statesman of the century."

But Mr Fini has now moved quickly to distance himself from the statement, faced with the prospect of an appearance on the European stage.

Pressed on a television show if his feelings towards "Il Duce" remained the same, Mr Fini said that "I would say that today one can't say that for sure."

"Today, I wouldn't say that anymore."

His statement has outraged Mussolini's granddaughter, Alessandra, a member of parliament for Mr Fini's party.

"I don't like politicians who try to warp history for their own ends," she said, and moved over to the benches of the Forza Italia party in protest.