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BRUSSELS-Flemish Christian Democrat Yves Leterme took over as Belgian prime minister on Thursday, ending nine months of deadlock that had prompted speculation the country could break apart.But members of the new government are expected to resume battle soon over devolution of powers to the regions.King Albert accepted the resignation of interim Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt before swearing in Leterme and his 14 other cabinet members. Didier Reynders stays on as finance minister and Karel De Gucht retains the foreign ministry. Leterme, former premier of Dutch-speaking Flanders, will head a five-party government after Dutch- and French-speaking parties ended their post-election squabbling over devolution. Political analysts predict however that tension will resurface in the next months over Flemish demands for more power to be given to the regions, which French-speaking parties oppose.The government, which is expected to pass a vote of confidence on Saturday, has set a July deadline for a major reform of the state.Verhofstadt, who has led the country since 1999, was reappointed at the end of December after Leterme twice failed to form a government following June parliamentary elections.Verhofstadt said then he would stay on only until March to settle a 2008 budget and an initial deal on state reform.To read more go to :
As in the days of Noah.....
