President Giorgio Napolitano on Friday confirmed he would not approve an emergency decree that would prevent doctors from removing Eluana Englaro's feeding tube in accordance with a landmark right-to-die ruling.
The cabinet unanimously approved the decree despite open opposition from Napolitano, who sent a letter to Premier Silvio Berlusconi warning that a decree could not be issued when it clashed with a court ruling.
The president said he noted ''with regret'' the cabinet's decision to go ahead despite his recommendation and said he would not sign the decree on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.
The decree cannot be put into effect without Napolitano's approval.
