Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has vowed¹ to defeat organised crime in the country by 2013.

意大利总理贝卢斯科尼立誓在2013年之前挫败国内有组织的犯罪团伙——黑手党。

Mr Berlusconi praised his government in its fight against the mafia

"The mafia黑手党 is a pathological病态的 phenomenon that we want to defeat once and for all一劳永逸地 by the end of this term in office," Mr Berlusconi told Italy's national radio.

"No government in the history of the republic has acted with as much determination and efficiency in the fight against criminal organisations".

Italian police have arrested hundreds of people in recent anti-mafia raids搜捕，突袭.

Those being held are accused of extortion勒索，敲诈, arms dealing² and drugs trafficking.

Earlier this month, mafia informant告密者 Gaspare Spatuzza made an allegation that a Sicilian Mafia boss convicted of 1990s bombings had boasted of吹牛，自夸 ties to Mr Berlusconi.

Gaspare Spatuzza said the Mafia boss claimed to have Mr Berlusconi's support.

A spokesman for Mr Berlusconi, who denies the allegations, suggested the Mafia was trying to discredit³ the prime minister.