ROME, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi will dissolve the parliament on Feb. 11 and general elections will be held on April 9 and 10, the Italian head of state's office announced Thursday evening.

    The statement said that on the morning of Feb. 11, Ciampi would first meet with Senate Speaker Marcello Pera and immediately afterwards with Lower House Speaker Pier Ferdinando Casini in accordance with protocol.

    Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi visited Ciampi before the announcement was made to inform him that he had scheduled a cabinet meeting on Feb. 11 to set the April 9-10 election dates, Italian News Agency ANSA said on Thursday.

    In Italy, dissolving parliament is the president's prerogative while choosing the election date falls to the government.

    Berlusconi, who asked Ciampi for the parliamentary extension last weekend, has denied press reports of a clash over dates between himself and the head of state.

    Romano Prodi, leader of the centre-left opposition, appeared sure that the premier and president had locked horns over dates and congratulated the president for holding firm on the election date.

    The centre-left opposition has attacked the premier over his bid to win more time for parliament, calling it "irresponsible" and arguing that his real motive is a desire to spend more time on television for elections campaign. Enditem