Kehl, Germany  - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday snubbed a ceremonial walk by NATO leaders on a bridge across the Rhine River because he was busy on the phone.

Televised images of the event showed Berlusconi getting out of his car while intent on a conversation on his mobile phone. He then gestured to German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he would salute her later, and continued with his call while other leaders gathered on the bridge for a group photo.

Berlusconi later rejoined the group for a second photo and apparently apologised to Merkel.