Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi underwent surgery to install a pacemaker on Saturday, his office said. The 83-year-old former premier is expected back at work at the beginning of the week, his office said in a statement. He was reported in "good spirits" when he talked to colleagues after the operation, the ANSA news agency said. The surgery, which was carried out with local anesthetic, had been set in advance for Saturday because Ciampi had no major commitments in the coming days, ANSA said. On Friday, Ciampi is expected to attend Friday's Rome signing ceremony for a proposed European constitution. The presidential post is largely ceremonial in Italy, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has the executive powers. Berlusconi sent "affectionate best wishes, both on a personal level and from the government," his office said. Ciampi, an internationally respected banker and former premier from 1993 to 1994, won Italy's presidency in 1999 with broad support from both left and right _ a rare show of unity.
