Belgium in fresh political crisis

Belgium plunged back into political crisis last night after Prime Minister Yves Leterme tendered his resignation, having failed to push through measures to devolve more power to the regions.

Leterme only became PM in March, after nine months of deadlock between parties from either side of the country's linguistic divide that led to speculation Belgium might break apart.

He had set a July 15 deadline for Dutch- and French-speaking parties to agree on a reform of the state and was due to present the plans to Parliament. But he suddenly offered his resignation to King Albert.