Silvio Berlusconi's status update on Facebook: "Rumors of my resignation are baseless." The Italian Prime Minister denied reports that he could resign within hours, trying to hang on to power amid pressure from international markets and dissension within his own party. Reports of a possible resignation boosted markets worried over political disarray in Italy, now at the heart of the euro zone debt crisis. But following Berlusconi's denial -- markets reversed direction -- slipping in fear of more uncertainty in the debt-ridden country. The 75-year old media mogul vowed to stay in power on Sunday - denying the recent political upheaval had left him without a workable majority. Berlusconi and aides spent the weekend trying to win back support to avoid what could be a humiliating defeat on Tuesday for a state financing bill he has already lost once. Katharine Jackson, Reuters.