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Serbia parties 'agree coalition' Serbia parties 'agree coalition'
(30 minutes later)
Serbian media say the main pro-reform parties in the country have agreed to form a government, more than three months after the general election. The main pro-reform parties in Serbia have agreed to form a government, more than three months after the general election, local media reports say.
The deal was reached between the caretaker prime minister, Vojislav Kostunica, and President Boris Tadic, the reports say. The deal was reached between the caretaker Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, and President Boris Tadic, according to TV reports.
Mr Tadic had set Friday as the deadline for a new prime minister to be named.Mr Tadic had set Friday as the deadline for a new prime minister to be named.
If a government is not formed by 14 May, the president is obliged to call new elections.If a government is not formed by 14 May, the president is obliged to call new elections.
Wrangling
Earlier this week a hardline nationalist, Tomislav Nikolic, was elected parliamentary speaker, prompting fears that Serbia could abandon the road to reform.Earlier this week a hardline nationalist, Tomislav Nikolic, was elected parliamentary speaker, prompting fears that Serbia could abandon the road to reform.
The parties have been wrangling over who will control the key ministries of defence, interior and the intelligence services. But Serbia's state TV station reported that as part of the coalition deal the parties will demand that he step down.
The nationalist Radicals became the largest party in parliament in the January election. The parties have been wrangling over who will control the key ministries of defence and the interior, as well as the intelligence services.
The nationalist Radicals became the largest party in parliament in the January election. But no party has enough seats to govern alone.
Reports said President Tadic, whose Democratic Party is the most pro-Western, would take charge of the national security council, responsible for the hunt for the fugitive Bosnian Serb wartime leaders Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic.
The agreement involves the Democratic Party, Mr Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), G-17 and New Serbia.