Panama opposition parties form alliance

Two opposition parties in Panama have formed an alliance in congress, leaving the government of President Mireya Moscoso without a majority.

Leaders from the Democratic Revolutionary Party and the Christian Democrats -- bitter rivals for years -- signed an agreement giving them control of congress for the next four years.

Correspondents say the alliance comes at a sensitive time for Mrs Moscoso, who last week reshuffled her cabinet in response to criticism of her government's performance.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service