Berlusconi, in gesture, sweeps streets in Naples

— Silvio Berlusconi is sparing no effort to solve the garbage crisis in Naples — even picking up a broom himself.

On Thursday, the Italian premier swept the streets of the city for a few moments, to the delight of cameras. At another point he picked up a plastic cup to place it a trash bin.

Berlusconi was in Naples as part of a review of his plan to solve the city's garbage collection problems. He said his gesture was meant to remind citizens that "we must keep our cities and gardens as clean as our homes," according to the ANSA news agency.

The garbage crisis has eased with the reopening of dumps. But Berlusconi recently said that tons of trash remain uncollected and a long-term solution will take three years.