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Belgian Premier resigns

Brussels: Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt's Liberal-Socialist coalition Government resigned on Monday, a day after conservatives — led by Christian Democrats — posted big gains in general elections. Mr. Verhofstadt went to the royal palace to hand King Albert II his Government's resignation in the morning and will now stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed. In the weeks ahead, politicians — split in Dutch and French-speaking camps — will endlessly mix and match political groups to try to arrive at a new government that stands a reasonable chance of survival. Mr. Verhofstadt (54), conceded defeat on Sunday, saying he would leave office after eight years as Prime Minister, adding, ``The voters of our country ... have opted for a different majority.'' That majority faces a challenge amid calls for more autonomy for Flanders, Belgium's Dutch-speaking northern half, and Wallonia, its Francophone south. — AP

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