Italy's outgoing premier Giuseppe Conte on Tuesday reportedly appreciated a tweet from US president Donald Trump that hailed him as a "very talented man" and patriot who "works well with the US".
Conte was especially proud that Trump said he "loves his country" and had always striven to defend the national interest, according to sources.
"Starting to look good for the highly respected Prime Minister of the Italian Republic, Giuseppe Conte. Represented Italy powerfully at the G7," read Trump's tweet.
"Loves his Country greatly & works well with the USA. A very talented man who will hopefully remain Prime Minister!"
Conte also received high praise from European Council president Donald Tusk on the first day of the G7 summit in Biarritz, France on Saturday.
Tusk said Conte, a law professor with no political affiliation, had been "one of the best examples of loyalty in Europe" who also "had a great sense of humour".
Coalition talks between the populist 5-Star Movement and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) resumed on Tuesday as both sides agreed that Conte should stay on as prime minister. The PD and 5-Star currently have until Wednesday to form a new cabinet otherwise president Sergio Mattarella will name a caretaker government and call early elections.
Conte resigned last week after interior minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, tabled a no-confidence motion against him.
The League party had been in power with 5-Star for 14 months when he effectively ended the coalition, saying he could no longer work with his partners. Conte remains as caretaker leader as party talks continue.
