Philippines government of national unity agreed

The outgoing President of the Philippines, Fidel Ramos, has agreed in principle with the opposition leader, Joseph Estrada, on the formation of a government of national unity.

The BBC correspondent in the capital, Manila, says it's the first time there's been official acceptance of Mr Estrada's apparent victory in the elections held two weeks ago.

He says the agreement is aimed at dispelling an atmosphere of political tension created by the election.

The opposition feared that the delay in recognising Mr Estrada as the winner indicated that the governing party would try to prevent him from taking office.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service