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Belgian PM's resignation accepted Belgian PM's resignation accepted
(about 5 hours later)
The king of Belgium has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yves Leterme's government, the palace says. The Belgian king has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Yves Leterme's government, but asked it to stay on in a caretaker capacity.
King Albert II "accepted the resignation of the government and asked it to stay on in a caretaker capacity," a statement said. Former PM Wilfried Martens has been asked to mediate in efforts to put together a new government. A palace statement said Mr Martens had accepted.
The statement made no mention of who might replace Mr Leterme, but analysts say former PM Jean-Luc Dehaene is favourite for the caretaker role. Analysts tip another former PM, Jean-Luc Dehaene, as favourite to head a new interim coalition.
Mr Leterme offered to resign amid a row over the sale of troubled bank Fortis.Mr Leterme offered to resign amid a row over the sale of troubled bank Fortis.
The king held a series of consultative meetings over the weekend to consider the impact of the government's resignation during the current financial crisis. The moves come after a series of consultative meetings over the weekend to consider the impact of the government's resignation during the current financial crisis.
Mr Leterme only took office in March, nine months after a general election had resulted in political deadlock founded in tensions between Flemish and Walloon groups.Mr Leterme only took office in March, nine months after a general election had resulted in political deadlock founded in tensions between Flemish and Walloon groups.
He tendered his resignation in June after he failed to push through plans to devolve more power to the regions, but the king rejected it.He tendered his resignation in June after he failed to push through plans to devolve more power to the regions, but the king rejected it.
Court rulingCourt ruling
Fortis bank has been one of the European banks hardest hit by the credit crunch, leaving it desperately short of cash.The government is embroiled in a row over the sale of its stake in FortisFortis bank has been one of the European banks hardest hit by the credit crunch, leaving it desperately short of cash.The government is embroiled in a row over the sale of its stake in Fortis
The government was forced to take over and sell nearly all of the company's assets.The government was forced to take over and sell nearly all of the company's assets.
Hundreds of thousands of investors were left with virtually nothing and so began a successful legal action effectively preventing the asset sale.Hundreds of thousands of investors were left with virtually nothing and so began a successful legal action effectively preventing the asset sale.
Earlier this month, the Brussels appeal court ruled in favour of the shareholders and froze the sale of most of Fortis to France's BNP Paribas, which was supposed to have been finalised this week.Earlier this month, the Brussels appeal court ruled in favour of the shareholders and froze the sale of most of Fortis to France's BNP Paribas, which was supposed to have been finalised this week.
Last week, Belgium's Supreme Court president said there were "undoubtedly significant indications" that members of the Belgian government had attempted to influence the outcome of the court case.Last week, Belgium's Supreme Court president said there were "undoubtedly significant indications" that members of the Belgian government had attempted to influence the outcome of the court case.