Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti (R) talks with his predecessor Silvio Berlusconi during a vote of confidence at the Lower House of Parliament in Rome. -Reuters Photo

ROME: Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Friday he was ready to see his successor Mario Monti stay in place until the next scheduled elections in 2013, backing away from previous calls for early polls.

Monti, whose unelected, technocrat government needs the support of parliament to remain in office, repeated on Friday that he wanted to serve out the remainder of the legislature's five year term, which ends in 2013.

Speaking to reporters in parliament, Berlusconi denied reports that he had told supporters that they could “pull the plug” on the government whenever they chose.

“I think this government will operate in a way that serves the country for the whole remaining period,” he said.