The latest attempt to form a new government in Turkey has been abandoned, six weeks after the outgoing government lost a parliamentary vote of confidence.

The prime minister-designate, Yalim Erez, had earlier said he would form a broad-based coalition after negotiations which included the pro-Islamist opposition.

He announced he was giving up shortly after a key political opponent, Tansu Ciller of the True Path Party, changed her mind and said she would support the veteran politican, Bulent Ecevit who had earlier attempted to form a secular government.

The BBC Ankara Correspondent says Mr Ecevit now has a clear majority in parliament but if he does become prime minister, it will be only until elections planned for April.