LOC22:06
19:06 GMT
BRUSSELS, Dec 24 (KUNA) -- King Albert II of Belgium called Monday on
Belgians to overcome their differences that plunged the country into a deep
political crisis for the last six months.
"I firmly believe in the future of our country because I have faith in the
abilities of the Belgians when they have their backs against the wall," King
Albert said in his annual Christmas speech.
He said it was essential that contacts between the different language
communities be strengthened. "The first condition is that we fully understand
one another."
Meanwhile, the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, or parliament, Sunday
gave its support to the new interim government led by ex-Prime Minister Guy
Verhofstadt, six months after elections were held in the country.
Deep differences between Belgium's Dutch-speaking politicians and their
French-speaking counterparts have hindered the formation of a long-term
government.
The country which hosts the European Union is deeply divided on linguistic
lines between the Dutch-speaking northern region of Flanders and the
French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. (end)
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