1.   But with a backdrop of renewed uncertainty, the lira weakened against the mark Wednesday.

2.   But the lira weakened on new worries about the duration of the Dini government.

3.   Leca said however that the lira could weaken again if parliament failed to back the new government next week.

4.   The lira weakened further in the face of three no-confidence motions in the Italian parliament this week and speculation as to whether the Berlusconi government could survive.

5.   The lira had weakened perceptibly earlier in the session against a background of Italian politial uncertainties.