国际英语新闻：Berlusconi's hand strengthening even as problems continue

ROME, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Despite bad economic news and an embarrassing leak about how Washington views him, embattled Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he will be able to survive the confidence vote that will decide the future of his government and serve out the rest of his full term.

In the latest international development, the U.S. whistle blowing web site WikiLeaks on Monday released thousands of documents that included commentary that cast Berlusconi as " feckless, vain and ineffective as a modern European leader."

The document also said the 74-year-old's "frequent late nights and penchant for partying hard mean he does not get sufficient rest".

The comments are in line with a series of recent sex scandals that have tarnished the prime minister's image at home, but the WikiLeaks documents are significant because they are based on comments from U.S. diplomats.

In televised comments, Berlusconi brushed off the comments as a mischaracterization of monthly dinners he hosts at his home.

Meanwhile, figures released Tuesday show that the Italian jobless rate reached 8.6 percent in October registering the highest peak since 2004, and that the "inactivity rate" -- those with no official employment but who are not actively seeking work - - was 37.7 percent, the highest rate in nearly a year.