Belgian government offers resignation

Brussels: Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme offered the resignation of his entire government on Friday over allegations it sought to interfere with a court case on the Fortis bank bailout.

Justice Minister Jo Vandeurzen resigned earlier on Friday after Belgium's highest court said the government had tried last week to influence the case on the bailout and sale of the troubled bank.

The separation of powers is a cornerstone of Belgian parliamentary democracy and the alleged attempts by the government to influence the course of judicial process have infuriated partners in a coalition government that was already shaky.

"Shocking. This does not belong in the rule of law," said Bart Somers, the chairman of the ruling Dutch-Speaking Liberal party. "A cornerstone of democracy has been put in danger."

Leterme denied he had done something wrong but said allegations raised on Friday by the country's highest court "made it impossible to continue the government's work."

"I insist that at no time was there any meddling, let alone any attempt to prevent the due course of justice," he said.