White House dismisses idea of market suspension

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday dismissed suggestions that U.S. markets would be suspended so international financial rules could be rewritten amid the turmoil that has gripped markets for weeks.

"There are absolutely no plans or discussions to interfere with the functioning of markets in the United States," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said in response to a question about the idea raised by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The Italian leader, who is set to meet U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday, later played down the idea.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky, editing by Leslie Adler)