An Italian minister whose arguments to block a cross-border takeover last year resulted in his country's government being sued by the European Commission, is now seeking to prevent two US bidders from acquiring another of the nation's assets.

Antonio Di Pietro, Italy's infrastructure minister, has reportedly called on prime minister Romano Prodi to prevent the US's AT&T or America Movil from buying a third of Olimpia, which owns 18% of Telecom Italia. Olimpia is owned by Pirelli, the Italian conglomerate.