Romanian government crisis continues

The largest party in the governing coalition in Romania, the Democratic Convention, has rejected an offer of resignation by the prime minister, Victor Ciorbea.

Mr Ciorbea made the offer after one of his coalition partners, the Social Democrats, said on Wednesday it would withdraw support unless the prime minister was replaced.

The centre-right Democratic Convention - Mr Ciorbea's ownparty - instead called on the Social Democrats to withdraw their ultimatum.

The political uncertainty has already resulted in the postponement of a visit by a delegation from the International Monetary Fund.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service