Berlusconi does it again, calls Obama sun-tanned

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi is in soup again for calling United States President Barack Obama "suntanned" for the second time.

"I bring you greetings from a person who is called...a person who is sun-tanned...Barack Obama," the smiling 72-year-old politician told a crowd of cheering supporters in Milan, yesterday, the Daily Mail reported.

He also commented on Michelle, "You wouldn't believe it, but they go sunbathing at the beach together - his wife is also sun-tanned."

Berlusconi was snubbed by Michelle Obama at the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, last week, where she shook hands with him and did not hug or peck him on the cheek as she did other world leaders.

Michelle's reserve at the G20 meeting could be seen as an reluctance by White House to appear to be too friendly with the embattled Italian Prime Minister who has been accused by his wife of consorting with minors and other sex scandals.

Berlusconi had earlier been slammed by the international community last November for calling Obama "sun-tanned".

But the controversial Italian premier had said it was a compliment and any one who thought it as racist was an "imbecile".

The 72 year-old leader told his supporters, "We have introduced a new element into Italian politics: morality."