Silvio Berlusconi's gamble to host the G8 summit appears to have paid off. From scandal-plagued playboy to international statesman: after three days of presiding over the international gathering Mr Berlusconi has silenced his critics and soothed his allies, at least for the moment.

For the 72-year-old billionaire prime minister, the three-day summit of 40 heads of government and international organisations concluding yesterday was as much a success for what did not happen.