The Turkish Prime Minister-designate, Bulent Ecevit, has held talks with the leader of the conservative True Path party, Tansu Ciller on the formation of a coalition government.

Aftewards Mr Ecevit said Mrs Ciller had given no answer, but had not looked warmly on the offer.

Mr Ecevit is trying to put together a coalition between his own leftist party the Democratic Left and the two main conservative parties, which would keep the pro-Islamist Virtue Party - the largest in parliament -- out of power.