This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7792533.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Belgian PM proposes resignation Belgian PM proposes resignation
(20 minutes later)
Belgium's Prime Minister Yves Leterme has proposed that his government resigns amid a row over the break-up of the stricken Fortis bank.Belgium's Prime Minister Yves Leterme has proposed that his government resigns amid a row over the break-up of the stricken Fortis bank.
The suggestion is being discussed at an emergency cabinet meeting. The cabinet has held an emergency session and backed Mr Leterme's move.
But correspondents say that even if Mr Leterme offers his resignation, King Albert II may not accept it. He must now present the proposal to King Albert II, but correspondents say the monarch may not accept it.
Earlier, Justice Minister Jo Vandeurzen quit after Belgium's highest court said the government had tried to influence a court ruling on the Fortis case.Earlier, Justice Minister Jo Vandeurzen quit after Belgium's highest court said the government had tried to influence a court ruling on the Fortis case.
Judges last week blocked the government's bail-out and sale of its stake in Fortis to French bank BNP.Judges last week blocked the government's bail-out and sale of its stake in Fortis to French bank BNP.
They said shareholders in the company must be allowed a say in the deal.They said shareholders in the company must be allowed a say in the deal.
"The prime minister has proposed the resignation of his government," said spokesman Peter Poulussen, as the emergency cabinet meeting was called. Mr Leterme's spokesman, Peter Poulussen, confirmed the decision had been approved by the cabinet.
Appeal court "The cabinet has decided to tender the resignation of the entire government to the king," Mr Poulussen said.
Under Belgium's constitution the king must decide whether to accept the resignation.
Mr Leterme previously tendered his resignation in July after failing to break a political deadlock among the country's linguistic groups. The king refused to accept the resignation at that time.
Mr Poulussen declined to say when the prime minister would go to the king this time around.
Court report
In its judgement earlier on Friday, Belgium's Supreme Court concluded that there were "undoubtedly significant indications" pointing in the direction of interference with the judiciary over the Fortis case.
The Brussels appeal court last week ruled in favour of 2,200 shareholders who wanted more say in the future of Fortis.The Brussels appeal court last week ruled in favour of 2,200 shareholders who wanted more say in the future of Fortis.
The ruling froze the sale of most of Fortis to France's BNP Paribas, which was supposed to be finalised this week. That ruling froze the sale of most of Fortis to France's BNP Paribas, which was supposed to be finalised this week.
Shareholders were left with practically worthless stakes after the governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg stepped in to rescue Fortis.Shareholders were left with practically worthless stakes after the governments of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg stepped in to rescue Fortis.
Fortis has been among the banks worst-hit by the credit crunch, which left it desperately short of cash and needing help from the three governments.Fortis has been among the banks worst-hit by the credit crunch, which left it desperately short of cash and needing help from the three governments.