The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi handed in his resignation Wednesday to Italy's President. He pledged to form a new government to strengthen his coalition that has been weakened by a sluggish economy and Italian participation in the war in Iraq. A statement from President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi said Berlusconi has tendered the resignation of his Cabinet, bringing to an end Italy's longest-serving government since World War II. Berlusconi's crisis was triggered by the crushing defeat of his Forza Italia party in regional elections this month. Then the Union of Christian Democrats, a centrist party, and the tiny New Italian Socialist Party pulled out of his coalition.