The tax fraud trial of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose diplomatic immunity was lifted last month, has been delayed until January.

Judges agreed to arguments by Berlusconi's lawyers Monday for a postponement, in the face of "a legitimate impediment," and adjourned the trial until January 18.

Berlusconi, who has been accused of links with the Italian mafia, as well as tax fraud and false accounting in the management of his media empire, must also stand trial on bribing charges on November 27.

He reportedly paid $600,000 to a British lawyer, David Mills, in exchange for his silence over the incriminating details of his business dealings.

The 72-year-old media tycoon, one of Italy's wealthiest men, is the only head of state from the G8 group of industrial nations attending and presiding over the on-going UN's 'Hunger Summit' in Rome.

Berlusconi, whose family virtually controls Italian media, has dismissed speculations that he would resign if convicted in either of the trials. He denies wrongdoing and claims he is the victim of politically motivated or "communist" magistrates.

The law exempting the center-right premier from prosecution during his tenure was passed by his own government but revoked last month by Italy's constitutional court for violating the constitution.

Berlusconi, often described as "gaffe-prone" in the media, has been in the middle of mounting personal, political and legal scandals since the beginning of 2009.

Berlusconi's government on Thursday presented to the Senate plans to reform the justice system, which in effect would extinguish the trials against him.

However, several allies have reportedly distanced themselves from the plan.

ZHD/MB