MILAN — Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says Italy is preparing to release €350 million ($505 million) in Libyan assets frozen in Italian banks. Berlusconi described the planned release as a first tranche. Italy has not disclosed the total Libyan assets held in Italy, Libya's former colonial ruler and biggest trading partner. Berlusconi made the announcement following a meeting Thursday with the leader of Libya's rebel Cabinet on the second stop of a European diplomatic tour aimed at securing the release of billions of dollars in frozen Libyan assets. The Libyan opposition says they urgently need at least $5 billion in frozen assets to pay state salaries, maintain vital services and repair critical oil facilities.