Government agreement in Montenegro

Montenegro's pro-independence coalition, which narrowly won parliamentary elections last April, has secured the support of a smaller, more radical separatist group to form a minority government.

The move will pave the way for a referendum on independence within the next eight months.

The agreement came when the Liberal Alliance pledged to support the moderate coalition of President Milo Djukanovic, Victory is Montenegro's, in exchange for a quick vote on secession.

As the deal was announced, a delegation of the Yugoslav government met Montenegro's anti-independence parties to discuss ways of maintaining a common state.

Correspondents say the Montenegrin electorate is sharply divided on the issue of full statehood for the small republic.

Western governments have warned against Montenegro's independence, fearing more instability in the region.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service